On-demand public transportation possible
Ellis, left, and Crittenden address Century Council
Century residents could have on-demand public transportation as early as October 2018 following discussion at Monday night's council meeting with members of Escambia County (Fla.) Mass Transit.
Director Mike Crittenden told the council Monday night that he met with Century Mayor Henry Hawkins last week to discuss the need for more presence of public transportation in the north end of the county and that he has more than one plan to get that ball rolling.
Crittenden and ECAT Director of Marketing and Community Relations Tonya Ellis told council members that they have submitted an application for a state-wide grant to fund public transportation for rural areas to the Transportation Commission for the Disadvantaged for $1.7 million that would fund the purchase of two vehicles and fund operating them in the Century area.
Crittenden said that while they are waiting to see if the grant is approved in Tallahassee, there is another plan in place in case it is not. The alternate plan will be route modification, where some routes are reduced, increased to cover more area or eliminated, to provide this much-needed service in the Century area.
"We are reallocating services we have, not extending them," said Crittenden. "The Escambia County Board of County Commissioners have pledged their support for this project in Century."
Crittenden did point out that although a community shuttle was the initial idea, an on-demand service may be more cost effective.
"If we sell it as community shuttle, similar to a fixed route, empty buses can raise concerns," said Crittenden. "On demand is better. There have to be performance measures put in place in grant writing."
Councilman Luis Gomez asked if the service would stop at the bridge and Crittenden said that there are some provisions to travel between Alabama and Florida. Councilwoman Ann Brooks asked about the cost of service and Crittenden said there would not be major change and Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds are in place to help with the purchase of passes and rides.
Councilman Gary Riley inquired about the times the buses would run. Crittenden said that all the details will be worked out later following public meetings.
"Once we get the ball rolling, we will have public meetings," said Hawkins. "They will answer to the public's needs."
Crittenden said the main reason he and Ellis approached the council is to request a letter of support to present to the Board of County Commissioners March 15.
In a motion made by Councilman Gomez and seconded by Councilman Riley, the motion carried.
"Im excited about it," said Hawkins. "We are hoping the ridership will go up if the people can get what they need in the town. If they do it on call, everybody will have a fighting chance to get it."
