Bus system to begin in February

Start finally in sight for transit system planned since 2000

A bus transit system that was supposed to begin in October, but was delayed by Hurricanes Gustav and Ike, should be up and running in February.

The bus system will pick up residents at their homes and transport them to destinations across the parish and into Kenner. From Kenner, residents can catch another bus to New Orleans.

St. Charles and St. John Parishes have each given $125,000 to the program and the United Way of St. Charles has allocated $150,000 more. All start-up costs, like acquiring the buses, are being paid by state and federal grants. The parishes and United Way are paying for what the grants don’t cover, such as operating costs.

“We have been planning this service for many years and the startup date is finally approaching as a result of groups like the United Way of St. Charles, the St. Charles and St. John the Baptist Parish governments and the South Central Planning and Development Commission,” River Parishes Transit Authority Chairman Brent Petit said.

Planning for the transit system first got underway in 2000 when the South Central Planning and Development Commission was awarded a grant from the Federal Highway Administration to assist the River Region in devising a transit service plan.

The plan for St. Charles and St. John will provide connections from each parish to both St. James and Kenner. From Kenner, riders will be able to travel all the way to New Orleans. The proposed transportation system would serve a population of around 101,298 people living within the 143-square-mile area of St. Charles and St. John Parishes.

The most important aspect of the system is that it would include curbside service. For instance, if a rider lives in Hahnville but needs a ride to the Wal-Mart in Boutte, they just have to call the service a day in advance to schedule a pick-up time. The driver will also bring the person home when they are ready and assist riders when they board the vehicle. If a resident needs to be picked up every day at a specific time, they can also schedule a daily ride by calling at the beginning of each month.

Bus service should occur five days a week, from 5:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Fares have not been finalized yet, but they will most likely be $2 for a one-way trip, with daily, weekly and monthly passes also available.

The system is intended to serve the general public, as well as offer service to  the physically and mentally disabled, elderly and low-income residents.