St. Charles Parish could get more public bus service
A study is underway by the River Parishes Transit Authority (RPTA) to determine if stepping up public transit service in St. Charles and St. John parishes is financially feasible.
RPTA Operations Manager Robert Collins said the demand is there, but lack of funding is the reason why the service has been available on an appointment-only basis.
“They have trouble getting through because of the call demand and, when they do, they can’t get the ride they want,” Collins. “There are more people who need the help.”If the study verifies the need and funding is available,
Collins said RPTA could establish fixed routes and stops in either or both parishes if they help subsidize the service.How feasible the move is will rely on determining if the need justifies the added cost of providing fixed routes.
“We’re in the process of putting together a service plan and then making the requests to the parishes to fund those services, Collins said, who added they don’t yet have a definitive price tag on what the move would cost.
If the study supports expanding transit from an appointment-only to fixed-route system, the service can be expanded in both parishes or individually, he said.
Pinpointing potential areas for a fixed route will be based on population, where people are being picked up and going, as well as identifying businesses that might benefit from bus stops and locations being near them.
Getting a ride with the transit service requires making an appointment or giving RPTA 24-hour advance notice.
Curb service is currently available on a first come, first served basis. But Collins said they are “having difficulty meeting the demand and that’s where the fixed route could help where they come to a stop by the proper time and get picked up. The premium trips go quickly.”
Parish spokeswoman Renee Simpson said it’s being determined if a fixed route system would be beneficial for the parish.
“The advantages and disadvantages, as well as cost and benefits, will be evaluated,” Simpson said. “A fixed route is likely to cost more to operate, resulting in a higher subsidy from the participating parishes. However, we don’t yet know the potential for increased ridership yet, which would offset some of those operating costs. It would be premature to assume a fixed route would net greater benefits as compared to the current demand-response system.”
According to Collins, RPTA can only take the requests it has the capacity to provide with limited buses and drivers.“Unfortunately, if we had more service, I know they would ride the service,” he said. “If you put more service out there or doubled it, we would still be turning people away.”
Collins said he knows people have stopped calling for the service because they can’t reliably get what they want.
Calls received versus available rides is also part of what will be assessed in the feasibility study.
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