Sarasota commuters can save in style with new bus service

By JACKIE BARRON | News Channel 8
Published: April 13, 2011

Step inside one of Sarasota County's newest buses and it's easy to see what sets them apart.

Plush seats and individual air-conditioning controls allow commuters to ride in style on the county's inaugural express service between North Port and downtown Sarasota.

"It's great. The timing couldn't have been better," said Anthony Beckford, general manager of Sarasota County Area Transit, about the savings riding the bus as gas prices climb. "I had a board meeting yesterday with a gentleman who said he is going to park his Acura and take the bus. That's what we're talking about."

And it's not just about free gas, try free Wi-Fi, multiple televisions with county public programming and a spot for personal headphones to listen to the radio.

Cardiac nurse Nancy Carter lives in North Port and works at Sarasota Memorial Hospital, which is one of the few stops on the express route.

"I have about a 50- to 60-minute drive in fog, wind, rain and semis passing left and right," Carter said about her commute to work. "Use my cell phone, airline seating, Wi-Fi? That sounds OK to me."

Carter said increasing her gas budget has meant cutting back in other areas. If the express route has enough late runs to accommodate a nurse's longer work day, Carter hopes to soon save and relax on the road.

"It would be the only time of day I could catch up on emails, texting, get in touch with my boys," she said. "It would be a luxury."

She isn't alone.

Sarah Blanchard, a SCAT project manager, said the county has already received hundreds of calls and emails about the service.

"We expect for some of those trips the buses will be full," Blanchard said.

The express route costs $2.50 each way or $85 for a 30-day pass. For information, visit www.scgov.net/scat. The service starts April 25.

jbarron@wfla.com

(941) 356-0045