City and County seek input regarding potential fixed-route bus service
A fixed-route bus service could potentially ease traffic congestion, promote economic growth, reduce travel costs and provide a more affordable means of transportation.
The City of Kinston is seeking public input regarding the potential creation of a fixed route bus service to provide residents with regular, scheduled transportation to reach large employers, major commercial areas, health care providers and education facilities
“We need to gather information from our community to receive their input on a potential fixed route in Kinston. They can do so by completing the survey, which can be found here,” said Angie Greene Director, Lenoir County Transportation Dept.
The survey should only take a couple of minutes to complete but will provide valuable data about whether residents would use the service and details about how they will use it. They are also interested in hearing from local businesses on whether they feel the service would benefit them with regular, reliable transportation for employees and customers.
“This project is in the very early stages. It is a concept that has been discussed for the last couple months. Preliminary routes have been identified but may change depending on public input received regarding the service,” said Steve Miller, P.E., Assistant Kinston Public Services Director.
Routes, capital costs, and operating costs are being evaluated over the next six months to determine if the project is workable. If it is, funding opportunities will be explored in the Spring of 2021. A fixed route bus system involves running buses on a regular schedule with pre-determined bus stop locations. Riders do not have to call and request to be picked up, just be at the bus stop when the bus is scheduled to arrive.
“Pricing and schedules will depend a lot on feedback we get from businesses and the public. It would likely be operated during weekdays and probably on Saturdays, starting around 6:00am until 8:00pm. Cost per one-way trip could be anywhere between $1.25 and $3.00,” said Miller.
Schedules showing times at every stop would allow customers to choose which bus they need to be on to reach their destination in time for appointments or starting work. It also allows a customer to make multiple stops on one trip without having to call for rides every time they want to go from one place to another. Major bus stops would have shelters for riders waiting for the bus. Regular routes are proposed from downtown to Lenoir Community College, Walmart and UNC Lenoir Hospital, with shuttles to industries on Highway 70 West and in the NCGTP as well as residential areas.
“Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the potential impacts it has created for our local economy, I can’t say with any certainty when a decision will be made on a potential fixed route. We are trying to gather as much data as we can to determine feasibility and what best serves the needs of our community,” said Greene.
