Public Input Sought on Proposed Changes to Transit

Public Input Sought on Proposed Changes to Transit

Residents are encouraged to review and comment on proposed changes to the Santa Rosa Transit schedule and route.   Adjustments to the bus service, offered mainly along U.S. Hwy. 90 with a connection to the Escambia County Area Transit system at Nine Mile Road and University Parkway , will include minor changes to the current bus stop locations and the creation of an express service. The proposed changes may be viewed online at www.santarosa.fl.gov/transit and are expected to be implemented in April.

 The proposed improved transit service will continue Monday through Friday and will now include morning, afternoon and evening limited-stop express routes. The express routes will eliminate the lower utilized stops and allow riders to reach their destinations between Milton and Pensacola more quickly during peak travel times to and from work. A midday non-express service will continue similar to the existing service. Major proposed changes include:

• Express service of eight bus stop locations, from the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s office and to the University/9 mile Road ECAT connection.
• Elimination of current bus stops #26 and 27 at the Blackwater Correctional Facility and state correctional institution   in east Milton .
• Addition of two stops north to Rosasco Street in Milton and one stop south of U.S. Hwy. 90 to Walker Street in Milton .

 The public is invited to provide input on the proposed changes in the following ways:

• Send comments by Mar. 30 to Shawn Ward via mail at Santa Rosa County Development Services, 6051 Old Bagdad Highway, Suite 202 , Milton , Florida 32583; fax to (850) 983-9874 , e-mail to shawnw@santarosa.fl.gov , or contact Ward by phone at (850) 981-7082 .  
• Attend the public hearing on Thursday, Mar. 8 anytime between 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Santa Rosa County Public Services Complex (Bus stop #10) in the Public Services Media Room located at 6051 Old Bagdad Highway in Milton .

 The transit program is primarily designed to help residents with transportation needs to and from work, but also helps provide access to medical services, shopping and government offices throughout the day. Monthly ridership has risen steadily since service began in December 2010, from 167 to 782 in January 2012.  

 Santa Rosa Transit service is provided through the cooperation of the Santa Rosa Board of County Commissioners , Pensacola Bay Transportation LLC, the Florida-Alabama Transportation Planning Organization, and the Federal Transit Administration.   Santa Rosa County is the project manager, the Florida-Alabama Transportation Planning Organization procured the buses and is the federal grant recipient, and Pensacola Bay Transportation LLC is the operator.