TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Feedback On Bus System Is Low

ADVERTISEMENT

By KEVIN WIATROWSKI, The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 19, 2007

NEW PORT RICHEY - Managers of Pasco County's bus system asked the public for advice on its future. They heard very little in response.

During the course of three meetings spread across the county, transit officials drew about a dozen people who had something to say about how the system needs to change to serve residents.

The turnout was disappointing, said bus system spokeswoman Thelma Williams.

A similar workshop three years ago at Gulf View Square mall brought a large number of comments, she said. Some of those suggestions, such as extending hours in east Pasco County, have been put into action, she said.

At the Regency Park Library on Little Road on Tuesday afternoon, Amelia Sklar was one of the few people on hand.
Sklar works with the Center for Independent Living, a federally funded group aimed at keeping people with disabilities in the work force.

Reliable transportation, she said, is key to keeping her 3,000 clients in Pasco and Pinellas counties employed and engaged with the community.
Sklar said Pasco County needs more buses and on-call vans to serve clients with disabilities. She urged officials to apply for more grants to pay for those services.

'Pasco has to be accessible,' she said.

But it's not always so simple, transit officials replied. The county recently lost a grant intended to bring buses to Moon Lake after county commissioners cut the $70,000 local match from the coming fiscal year's budget, Williams said.

Reporter Kevin Wiatrowski can be reached at (813) 948-4201 or kwiatrowski@tampatrib.com.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT