Bus rider protests route changes

Gardnerville Ranchos resident Nancy Andrews won't be able to attend an information meeting about changes to the Douglas Area Rural Transit bus route on March 9, because, she said, they won't come pick her up without two weeks notice.

Andrews rode the bus three times a week to go shopping. She said the bus would come by her house, which is a short distance away from its regular route on Tillman Lane.

However, Andrews, who is 63 and legally blind, said she will have to find other ways to get around.

"When I called the dial-a-ride, they said I need a two-week advanced notice, and that even if I was the first one to call in, they make the schedule according to everyone's calls, so I might not get a ride."

Budget cuts have reduced the bus service by half, according to county Community Services Director Scott Morgan.

"We need as much as two weeks notice, so we can plan for shopping and medical patients," he said. "We need to be a little more efficient and do some advanced planning."

Stops at Smith's, the Tillman Center in the Gardnerville Ranchos, Topaz Laodge and Topaz Ranch Estate are being dropped.

Riders may schedule rides two weeks in advance to Minden, Gardnerville, the Ranchos, Johnson Lane, Minden Library Douglas County offices and Carson Valley Medical Center. There is also an express ride three times a day that operates between the Carson Valley Inn, Stephanie Way, Mica, Target, Walmart, Costco and the Carson Valley Swim Center. Connections with the Jump Around Carson bus at the Costco will be reduced to three times a day.

A meeting will be held 4-6 p.m. March 9 at the Douglas County Senior Center. Public comment is being accepted through April 13 on the change.

Andrews lost her driver's license in 1987 and was declared legally blind in 1992. She can't drive, and doesn't have a regular ride.

"Once in a while people can help you, but not all the time," she said. "Because I was disabled they would deviate from the fixed route on Tillman and come to my house."

Andrews said she found out the bus service was changing on Feb. 20, when notices were handed out.

"That was pretty sneaky," she said. "If I want to go to senior center, they won't even pick me up."

Commissioners approved converting the bus system from a public transportation system to a senior, physically challenged and medical transportation program on Jan. 15, saving the county $162,500.

Morgan said the county is trying to keep the system alive, and that may require the riders to alter their schedules to fit the bus service.

"If the bus runs on Thursday, then why don't we change a hair appointment to Thursday. We don't want to waste a vehicle that holds 12 people on one person. With a little advance planning we can help those in need."

Andrews said so far she hasn't been able to arrange a ride by calling in.

"That's not a dial a ride," Andrews said. "I call in for a ride and I'm told, 'no you can't have one.' There is no excuse for shutting down the system."

Bus service is still provided to the Gardnerville Ranchos by BlueGO, which stops at Tillman Lane and Kimmerling Road.