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Independence, MO —
Judith Twitchell is excited about the city of Independence’s new transit system. She is so excited, in fact, she was one of dozens of community members who tried out the new routes during the city’s Try A Ride event Saturday.
“I am very much in favor of public transportation,” said the Independence resident. “I really want to find a good route to get me to work here on the (Independence) Square.”
The Independence City Council approved a $1.8 million agreement with First Transit in January to provide public bus transit services for the city. While the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority will continue to provide service to portions of Independence, this new contract allows for additional stops and hours of service.
Saturday provided a day for community members to try the new routes for free. The IndeBus will start regular service July 2.
“This is a test for us where we can get feedback from people and see how the different routes operate. It’s like a test drive to see how things are working,” said Mary Hunt, a senior planner for the city of Independence. “We have loops going for the first time, where routes are interchanging and we are excited to see what the public thinks.”
In addition to the traditional stops along each route, there are some flag zones in areas that have no stops that allow riders to wave at a bus driver who will then pull over at the closest safe location. The deviated fixed route along the Orange Route gives riders the opportunity to call Dispatch the day before and schedule a ride if they do not live within walking distance of the fixed route.
Tammy Wright of Independence said she liked the routes much better than what is now in place. She said the change in schedule will get her to her destination earlier, allowing her to take her time getting to class at National American University.
“I wanted to try the routes today so that I know what is going on. I don’t want there to be any confusion when the new routes start,” she said. “I really think this is better than the old route. It seems much easier and it does not seem that we are going out of the way at all.”
Mary Jane Butler of Independence got on the Yellow Route from Hawthorne Apartments Saturday before connecting to the Green Route at MCC-Blue River. She said she felt like portions of the routes go “far out of the way.”
“I am not a fan of the new routes right now,” she said. “I think maybe there should be shorter routes. The Yellow one, especially, drives out into the middle of nowhere.”
For more information on the IndeBus and the new routes, visit its website at www.indepmo.org and select the “IndeBus” link.
Judith Twitchell is excited about the city of Independence’s new transit system. She is so excited, in fact, she was one of dozens of community members who tried out the new routes during the city’s Try A Ride event Saturday.
“I am very much in favor of public transportation,” said the Independence resident. “I really want to find a good route to get me to work here on the (Independence) Square.”
The Independence City Council approved a $1.8 million agreement with First Transit in January to provide public bus transit services for the city. While the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority will continue to provide service to portions of Independence, this new contract allows for additional stops and hours of service.
Saturday provided a day for community members to try the new routes for free. The IndeBus will start regular service July 2.
“This is a test for us where we can get feedback from people and see how the different routes operate. It’s like a test drive to see how things are working,” said Mary Hunt, a senior planner for the city of Independence. “We have loops going for the first time, where routes are interchanging and we are excited to see what the public thinks.”
In addition to the traditional stops along each route, there are some flag zones in areas that have no stops that allow riders to wave at a bus driver who will then pull over at the closest safe location. The deviated fixed route along the Orange Route gives riders the opportunity to call Dispatch the day before and schedule a ride if they do not live within walking distance of the fixed route.
Tammy Wright of Independence said she liked the routes much better than what is now in place. She said the change in schedule will get her to her destination earlier, allowing her to take her time getting to class at National American University.
“I wanted to try the routes today so that I know what is going on. I don’t want there to be any confusion when the new routes start,” she said. “I really think this is better than the old route. It seems much easier and it does not seem that we are going out of the way at all.”
Mary Jane Butler of Independence got on the Yellow Route from Hawthorne Apartments Saturday before connecting to the Green Route at MCC-Blue River. She said she felt like portions of the routes go “far out of the way.”
“I am not a fan of the new routes right now,” she said. “I think maybe there should be shorter routes. The Yellow one, especially, drives out into the middle of nowhere.”
For more information on the IndeBus and the new routes, visit its website at www.indepmo.org and select the “IndeBus” link.
