Transition to dial-a-ride a bumpy one

Only two people took the bus to attend a Monday meeting describing changes in service for Douglas Area Rural Transit. Their arrival brought the total attendance to six.

Gardnerville sisters Emily Romano and Eleanora Macrini took the bus to attend the meeting.

Both were concerned about the change from regular routes to dial-a-ride, but they also expressed confidence in Transportation Coordinator Linda Skaggs.

"We always call," Romano said at the meeting. "People need to go to their medical appointments. If you can't do anything else, leave the medical service."

One person who did not attend was Nancy Andrews, who has been critical of the bus service changes. Andrews used the new dial-a-ride twice last week.

She said she waited 45 minutes for the bus to arrive at her scheduled 9 a.m. Tuesday pickup, before hitching a ride with a neighbor.

"This is the first time they haven't shown up after the change," Andrews said. "Last week they were 30 minutes late, but they called and let me know. I tried calling dispatch so I could get an ETA and a reason why they forgot me. I got a long message and then it said they would get back to me within 24 hours."

Transportation Manager Travis Lee said the bus driver was at her home at 9 a.m., but was told by a neighbor that Andrews was a couple of doors down.

"He waited about 5 minutes, still no response," Lee said in an e-mail. "He went to do other pickups and returned by 10 a.m. to check on her."

Andrews' story illustrates the problem operators and users of the Douglas bus system face. There aren't many people using the service that costs $200,000 a year, but those who do ride the bus, need it to get to medical appointments, jobs, or to purchase groceries.

Community Services Director Scott Morgan said the system lost part of its funding when county commissioners voted to reduce the local match to federal fundings. That cost them half their drivers.

"Transportation is freedom," Morgan said. "I understand the passion behind losing some of those freedoms."

Morgan said the bus system nearly didn't survive.

"My goal is not to lose the whole thing and we're that close," he said, holding his fingers up. "Hopefully, we'll be able to leave the infrastructure in place."

In order to cover the bus service they have, the county cut the route to Topaz and Topaz Ranch Estates. They also reduced the number of times they go north to connect to Carson City's bus from 10 to three.

Instead, the bus is now available by calling dispatch in advance for a ride.

A two-week turnaround time will be reduced as user patterns emerge, Morgan said.

"It will get easier as we get more people scheduled," Morgan said. "Eventually, these will turn into mini-routes."

Lee said the goal was to keep the buses from running empty.

Skaggs urged anyone who needs a ride to call.

"We want to provide rides to everyone who needs one," she said. "Please call and make the attempt."