Ronica Shannon
What began as a trial run is now running all over the county, allowing residents to use a transit service to travel between Richmond, Berea and other parts of the county.
Kentucky River Foothills transportation representatives Melissa Gross and David Sowder presented county magistrates and judge/executive Kent Clark last week with the latest numbers to show the increased use of the Madison County connector route.
A total of 3,583 residents have taken advantage of the connector route, and almost 700 people used the service in October alone, according to the information provided by Gross and Sowder.
The county pays $44,000 per year to help with the expenses affiliated with running the connector route that allows citizens to travel back and forth between Berea and Richmond, Clark said.
The cost for Kentucky River Foothills to provide the connector route service is almost $63,000. The amount includes personnel costs, fuel, bus maintenance and other operation support, insurance and licensing.
The idea of a county connector route was announced late last year, and was being done by the county on a trial basis only.
“We did it for six months, and the (ridership) numbers were really good,” Clark said. “It’s really paying off for those people who can’t afford a car. Personally, I think that it is really good for the people who need that service.”
The cost to ride the bus is $2 a day, and that amount can include more than one location stops.
“We’re providing that bus service for residents of Berea to be able to come to Richmond, and also for people in Richmond who need to go to Berea,” Clark said. “It’s just a good deal.”
The fiscal court is planning to continue its financial support of the county’s connector route.
“It’s just amazing,” Clark said. “The (ridership) numbers are staying stead and really are more than what we expected. We’ll look at it ever six months, and if we think it’s justifiable, then I think we’ll continue to offer that service. The bottom line is to make sure that it’s justifiable.”
Aside from the Madison County connector route, Foothills Community Action Partnership also provides individual transit services in Richmond, Berea and Winchester.
More than 9,000 riders have taken advantage of the Berea transit service since October 2008, and 22,179 riders have utilized Richmond’s transit system, according to information given to the court last week.
Anyone who would like to take advantage of the Kentucky River Foothills transit service or schedule a ride can call 1-800-819-7083 or 624-3236.
Ronica Shannon can be reached at rshannon@richmondregister.com or 624-6608.
