Published: July 02, 2009 08:50 pm      

Transit service considers expansion

By KANDACE MCCOY

kandace.mccoy@register-news.com

MT. VERNON — Residents in Jefferson and Marion counties are being asked if they could be better served by a shuttle service offered by South Central Transit.

“What we’re trying to do is to try to have a daily shuttle Monday through Friday going from Centralia to Mt. Vernon, with designated stops in Irvington, Richview, Ashley and Woodlawn,” explained Sherri Bassen, of SCT marketing and customer service. “We’re trying to make it possible for people to get from Centralia and other communities for medical appointments, dining or whatever the case may be.”

The decision to distribute the surveys was made following “numerous inquiries” from residents in the past regarding transportation to Mt. Vernon, Bassen said.

“The greatest demand is medical. Maybe they need to go [to a medical facility] and do not have a family member close by to help with transportation,” she said, adding that inquiries have increased as a result of the price of fuel and the economy.

Bassen said SCT has taken surveys to residences in the rural communities and has also left surveys with the city clerk of Ashley and Woodlawn. She said SCT would mail surveys to those interested. Group organizations are welcome to fill out the surveys, Bassen said.

“We’re looking at the possibility of starting a shuttle service which would be run several times a day,” she said. “The surveys are to assess if there’s a real need for it and what days and times would work best.”

At this time, SCT conducts “a couple” of work shuttles for residents in Centralia and Salem who work at Walgreens Distribution Center in Mt. Vernon. By offering shuttle service to residents, SCT would be taking the “first step in connecting transportation from county to county as well as from city to city,” Bassen said.

Questions residents are asked on the survey include whether they would use a public transportation shuttle service and the particular reasons for using the service; how often would residents use the public transportation shuttle; what days of the week would best accommodate residents; what time of the day would best accommodate residents; and if a public transportation shuttle was established, where would residents like the route to include, such as Wal-Mart, Kroger, service agencies and medical facilities.

For more information or to receive a survey, you may contact Bassen at 532-8076.