Talks focus on better local bus service
"I've heard a lot of people say they would use the bus more often, but that it takes so long to get back to their vehicle," - Rider Anna Mirdita
By BARRY HALVORSON news@leader-news.com

A focus group of invited officials and interested citizens met last week to explore possible suggestions to improve the service provided by the Colorado Valley Transit to Wharton County.

The meeting was organized and conducted by Wharton County Judge John Murrile, CVT Executive Director Vastene Olier and former Wharton County Extension Agent Marilyn Sebesta.

In her presentation, Olier said the current proposed plans and recommendations include the number of stops offered, upgrading benches, covered shelters and park and ride sites, improving county and community involvement and a possible poster contest to raise awareness.

In outlining the shelter plan, Olier said she would like to see the service able to provide enclosed shelters with benches at most locations, including 11 of the 12 stops in Wharton and eight of the 12 in El Campo. Also included on the wish list were shelters at the park and ride locations in Glen Flora and Spanish Camp. Additional park and ride locations either in operation or proposed include East Bernard, Egypt, Boling, Louise, Iago, Danevang and Hungerford.

Olier said as a non-profit, rural transportation district CVT receives federal, state and local government funding and doesn't have the current resources to construct the shelters, which she said cost about $4,000 each based on a bulk purchase of 20 of the structures.

"If we had private property owners willing to donate a small space on the property we would work with them," she said.

Regular bus rider Anna Mirdita had many suggestions. In particular, she said she would like to see more frequent stops and recommended two loop buses for each city. While the buses currently follow a clockwise route, she said a second, counterclockwise route is needed.

"I've heard a lot of people say they would use the bus more often (for park and ride in the city) but that it takes so long to get back to their vehicle," she said. "If you had one going in each direction it would take half the time."

While Mirdita's comments concerned the city, Vivian Wyatt with the Spanish Camp Community Center voiced the needs of some of the more rural areas.

She said she had a daughter who had been using the buses for transportation to Wharton County Junior College, but when her schedule changed the transit service couldn't adjust its schedule to meet those needs.