Augusta commissioners looking into revamping bus routes (Gordon: college, taxi)

[Airforceguy]

I think its a good idea that the commissioners are looking at revamping the bus routes. I believe allowing more flexibility of the lines would make it friendlier to riders. Also I would like to see APT come out with an app to update people on bus schedules and other changes.

The bus is the only way Juanita Wilkins can get around town.

"That's my means of transportation, that's the only way I can get around except in a taxi and who on a fixed income can afford a taxi?" Wilkins said.

So she needs the Augusta buses, and she needs flexibility in the routes.

"I want to get up and get on the bus and go where I'm going," she said. "I don't work anymore, but I'm dependent on the bus."

Now one of those bus routes is no longer an option. The Fort Gordon bus route was open on a six month trial run, but commissioners voted to end it.

"They're stuck out there, people who want to come into town, I'm sure they have a lot of entertainment or whatever, but you might want to leave and go someplace else sometime," Wilkins said.

But commissioners say there's a chance to bring it back. Commissioner Bill Lockett says they're looking at ways with the new transit director to try and make it work

"Everybody should have that chance to ride the bus in the city where ever they want to go," Wilkins said.

It's not the only change they're looking into for Augusta's public transportation. Lockett says they are trying to rethink every single one of the bus routes and make them better for riders like Wilkins.

"I just think that the bus should do what it's supposed to do, transport people," Wilkins said. "They get paid it's not like we're getting a free ride."

Augusta commissioners looking into revamping bus routes

[GRU_Minion]

Originally Posted by Airforceguy

I think its a good idea that the commissioners are looking at revamping the bus routes. I believe allowing more flexibility of the lines would make it friendlier to riders. Also I would like to see APT come out with an app to update people on bus schedules and other changes.

Augusta commissioners looking into revamping bus routes

I've been in cities that have apps for their public transit that go so far as to even give you real-time information as to where your bus/train is, the estimated arrival time, directions on which lines you need to take to get form point A to point B, etc. They have been an awesome asset to someone like me who doesn't use the systems on a daily basis. But those have always been in MUCH larger cities with a more diverse set of clientele, including many young professionals and college students. An app is certainly something to consider, but I feel like in Augusta in its present state, a mobile app would be a major expense for a very, very small part of the population. I say this because public transit in Augusta currently seems to go largely unused by the demographic I mentioned above. Not being a user of it myself (and falling into the demographic I mentioned), I will admit that I base that solely on observations of the numerous bus stops I encounter on a daily basis and the folks waiting at them.

[therealpattman]

The issue with Augusta in general is the lack of regional partnership. When you look at the APT it only caters to a small portion of the area. If the area i.e. Richmond, Columbia and Aiken Counties combined to fund a regional system it would be far more effective.