New stops might get added to Kingsbury Express route

The BlueGO board will take a look Friday at possibly adding some new stops to the Kingsbury Express and modifying the bus system's paratransit service.

And John Andoh, BlueGO's new transit administrator who started his job in February, is encouraging the public to attend the board meeting.

"We want the public to attend, because this is a public transit system," Andoh said.

The Kingsbury Express began in mid-January and provides service between Stateline Transit Center and the Gardnerville Skateboard Park.

Stops would be added to the route to encourage ridership, including stopping at The Ridge Tahoe. The bus would drive the loop of Tramway Drive and Quaking Aspen Lane, serving all the bus stops there, Andoh said.

The earliest the route change could be implemented would be June 1, Andoh said. It's a minor change to the route and won't affect the running times of the buses.

Another plan for the Kingsbury Express is to offer a route for dialysis patients, Andoh said. Dialysis Clinic Inc. Carson City plans to open another clinic in Gardnerville at the corner of Tillman Lane and Kimmerling Road. The bus route would add the stop to serve the facility late this year, Andoh said.

Another item on the agenda is the consideration and possible approval of a public hearing date to discuss modifications to the BlueGO Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Paratransit.

The service, which is funded by the city of South Lake Tahoe, has not transported any riders since it officially began Jan. 1, Andoh said.

The three residents certified to ride ADA Paratransit services opt to use transportation provided by the El Dorado County Special Needs Program.

The county funds two BlueGO curb-to-curb service vehicles, which run from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. The city used to fund the BlueGO service for one vehicle from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. The late-night service stopped and switched to a 6 a.m.-to-6 p.m. paratransit service.

The county program offers lower fares - $1 instead of the city's $3.50 fare.

Since the route service is duplicated and the county program continues providing service to ADA-certified riders for a cheaper price, Andoh said BlueGO would not be violating ADA standards by discontinuing the service.

"As long as the county is man-responsive, we meet ADA requirements," Andoh said.

If the ADA paratransit is eliminated, a 24-hour bus service could be restored, Andoh said.

Before any changes occur, a public hearing must be held, and the South Lake Tahoe City Council must approve the policy change, since the city funds the service.