Junior A. Fabiano
April 7, 2009
Willard John Kraemer Jr.
April 9, 2009
Terrebonne Parish’s public transportation system expanded Sunday from weekday to daily service.
Good Earth Transit is providing the same fixed routes, but on a shorter schedule during weekends and holidays, operating from 8:20 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. On weekdays, the schedule remains from 5:40 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
“It was a request of the parish council that we aggressively seek funding to operate on the weekends and holidays – to basically be a 365-day bus service,” said Wendell J. Voisin, public transit administrator.
Last year, the parish government applied for a grant from the Federal Transit Administration’s Jobs Access and Reverse Commuter (JARC) program to offset costs. The program was established to address unique transportation challenges faced by welfare recipients and low-income persons seeking to obtain and maintain employment.
“We’re not specifically increasing bus services for that purpose, but obviously people on fixed and lower incomes will benefit,” Voisin said.
In November, JARC awarded a $294,562 grant to Good Earth Transit. Since then, the transit system has been hiring additional drivers and planning the expanded service.
“We hired enough drivers and pretty much have everybody trained at this point,” Voisin said. “We have all components in place to get the job done.”
Complimentary paratransit services will continue to be available for disabled riders on weekends and holidays.
Paratransit service runs within a three-quarter-mile buffer zone of Good Earth Transit’s normal bus routes.
Those who are eligible must call Good Earth Transit 24 hours in advance. The number is (985) 850-4616.
“It has to be a disability that prevents someone from boarding a regular bus,” Voisin said. “For example, deafness is not a qualifying disability.”
Bus arrival and departure times will be slightly altered for weekend and holiday service.
Schedules are available on all buses and at the Good Earth Transit Downtown Bus Station at the corner of Main Street and Barataria Avenue. New schedules are also available by fax or mail by calling the bus company at (985) 850-4616.
Fares are still $1 per ride and $2.50 for a DayPass. Drivers sell non-expiring DayPass coupons in quantities of five for $11 or 10 for $21.
Children under age 4 ride for free. Senior citizens age 65 and over, Medicare recipients and persons with qualifying disabilities can receive half-price fares by showing proper identification when boarding the bus, according to Good Earth Transit officials.
Good Earth Transit, Terrebonne Parish’s public transporation system, is expanding its hours to include weekends and holidays. The company received a grant from the Federal Transit Administration’s Job Access and Reverse Commuter program to offset costs. * Photo by KEYON K. JEFF
