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Public busing adds extra route as demand increases
By Meghan Walsh, Staff Writer
Thursday, September 10, 2009 | 3 comment(s)
Coos County Area Transit has partnered with the Coquille Indian Tribe to almost double its public bus stops.
“The growing demand has way outstripped our ability to provide services,” transit manager Bruce Bennett said. “We needed to expand.”
CCAT, a non-taxing entity, won a two-year $66,029 federal New Freedom grant, which the tribe matched.
A new West Loop fixed route will be up and running next week.
The service used to only offer an East Loop ride, one bus making 30 stops through Coos Bay and North Bend. With the addition of the West Loop, starting Tuesday, two buses will be making the rounds with 53 destinations from Charleston to Empire and North Bend to Eastside.
“It’s going to make it a lot easier to get around,” Bennett said. “We want to keep growing through giving more comfortable and all- encompassing service.”
While the transit service has always stopped at The Mill Casino, it will now make an additional stop at the reservation. In 2011, the tribe can choose to renew the partnership. The board of commissioners approved the agreement earlier this week.
The first step CCAT took after receiving the funds was to find a new docking location. The transit operation moved into a lot off 28th Street and Ocean Boulevard just last week.
Also on the way are four new buses, two-way radios for the drivers and new office computers. The first two buses will be here by late September and be used in Bandon and Coos Bay. The other buses will go to Myrtle Point and Coquille.
As more grants become available, Bennett hopes to continue the expansion with weekend and evening services and a south county connector, which would travel daily between the Bay Area and other communities.
“I want to give people the opportunity to commute,” Bennett said.
The loop ride costs $1.25 for adults, 50 cents for ages six through 17, and is free for kids six and under. It runs Monday through Friday 7:15 a.m. to 5:45 p.m.
There are three types of services CCAT offers. The East and West Loop fixed routes, Dial-A-Ride, and an inter-community connector, which once a week travels between Coos Bay to Lakeside, Powers, Myrtle Point and Coquille.
For schedules, call 267-7111.
“The growing demand has way outstripped our ability to provide services,” transit manager Bruce Bennett said. “We needed to expand.”
CCAT, a non-taxing entity, won a two-year $66,029 federal New Freedom grant, which the tribe matched.
A new West Loop fixed route will be up and running next week.
The service used to only offer an East Loop ride, one bus making 30 stops through Coos Bay and North Bend. With the addition of the West Loop, starting Tuesday, two buses will be making the rounds with 53 destinations from Charleston to Empire and North Bend to Eastside.
“It’s going to make it a lot easier to get around,” Bennett said. “We want to keep growing through giving more comfortable and all- encompassing service.”
While the transit service has always stopped at The Mill Casino, it will now make an additional stop at the reservation. In 2011, the tribe can choose to renew the partnership. The board of commissioners approved the agreement earlier this week.
The first step CCAT took after receiving the funds was to find a new docking location. The transit operation moved into a lot off 28th Street and Ocean Boulevard just last week.
Also on the way are four new buses, two-way radios for the drivers and new office computers. The first two buses will be here by late September and be used in Bandon and Coos Bay. The other buses will go to Myrtle Point and Coquille.
As more grants become available, Bennett hopes to continue the expansion with weekend and evening services and a south county connector, which would travel daily between the Bay Area and other communities.
“I want to give people the opportunity to commute,” Bennett said.
The loop ride costs $1.25 for adults, 50 cents for ages six through 17, and is free for kids six and under. It runs Monday through Friday 7:15 a.m. to 5:45 p.m.
There are three types of services CCAT offers. The East and West Loop fixed routes, Dial-A-Ride, and an inter-community connector, which once a week travels between Coos Bay to Lakeside, Powers, Myrtle Point and Coquille.
For schedules, call 267-7111.
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