SRC bus transit system kicks off

SRC bus transit system kicks off

By Deborah Nelson
December 9, 2010

Santa Rosa’s new bus service is officially up and rolling. The transit system costs a dollar per ride and spans 22 stops along Hwy. 90 between the Nine Mile Road Target in Pensacola and East Milton.

The yearlong test program kicked off Tuesday with a ribbon cutting ceremony at the County Administrative Complex. A number of residents were on hand to ride along on the program’s two buses’ initial run.

Officials say they hope public transit will allow residents without transportation to get to and from work.

“Our main goal was to hopefully put people to work and provide them with a reasonable cost of transportation to get them to work,” Commissioner Don Salter remarked. “It’s all about working with people who are trying to help themselves. We live in an economy now and a time when not everybody can afford vehicles. There are a lot of single moms out there with kids who need to go to work.”

“It’s going to open up an opportunity for transportation for those who have problems with transportation; getting around the community and into Pensacola, shopping, medical appointments, all kinds of things,” said Milton Mayor Guy Thompson.

“It’s very badly needed,” Milton resident Ray Johns observed.

“The cab service is outrageous and you have to look at the income of the area. It’s very poverty stricken and it’s just an ideal thing to have. It will be a good impact because I know a lot of people who are without cars and just don’t have the money for cab fare…the cab fare services has gone up tremendously because of the price of gas.”

“[L]ack of transportation is one of the barriers that many of our customers face and it’s critical for them to find transportation in order for them to get to that next job,” according to Workforce Escarosa Assistant Director Kathy Karshna.

“Oftentimes we find that once we can get rid of one barrier, a lot of other barriers disappear as well.

Karshna predicts the system will also benefit employers

“Not only in the fact that more customers will be coming to hopefully to see them, but also because now they will have access to more job applicants and more employees who can now get to their places of business. We see these buses as hopefully attracting new business to our area and creating new job opportunities for us in the future,” she remarked.

Over the next year, administrators will monitor usage to determine if a permanent program is merited.

“It’s a pilot program so we’re looking for the best ridership we can get to keep going,” County Planner Nancy Model noted.

Fares cost $1 dollar and may be purchased in advance. Drivers only accept exact change. Riders are advised to arrive several minutes early to avoid missing the bus. Children shorter than the fare box ride free.

Buses are equipped with wheelchair lifts and bicycle carriers. Bikes ride for free.

A bus route map and schedule is available online at: http://data2.santarosa.fl.gov/transit/index.cfm

The program is funded by the Federal Transit Administration, statewide toll revenue credits and $33,140 from Santa Rosa County.