Early morning van rides now offered for workers as needed
Although Roseview Transit has shortened the weekday bus schedule, Richmond officials say van rides still will be available for those needing to get to work earlier in the day.
On Monday, bus routes between 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays took effect. That shaves an hour each from the morning and the evening service. Workers needing earlier transportation to get to their job can call (765) 983-7227, and rides will be scheduled through the city’s paratransit vans.
“We don’t want the change to affect anyone’s employment who relies on this service,” said Josh Imhoff, community development coordinator.
Roseview Transit’s Saturday hours, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., remain the same.
The temporary weekday change was needed to prevent cuts to current transportation routes, Imhoff said.
“Before changing our hours, we considered the needs of our community and looked at the times when our Roseview Transit buses are most heavily utilized,” Imhoff said. “This change has prevented us from having to stop running specific bus routes while still providing a valuable service to our community six days a week.”
Imhoff said a bus driver shortage prompted the new schedule. Although the city has a good group of drivers, they are getting burned out with extra overtime, he said.
The new schedule reduces Roseview’s weekday operating hours from 12 to 10.
Funding for the bus program has not been cut, and state officials approved the shortened hours, he said.
City officials want to return to normal hours as soon as possible, Imhoff said, because the change could inconvenience some riders. He said bus drivers have been alerting passengers in the days leading up to the new schedule.
Flyers with the new hours also have been posted around town, Imhoff said. They include the phone number to call if an early ride is needed.
Ian Vanness, the city’s director of infrastructure and development, said in a news release that Roseview Transit is committed to providing the community with quality public transportation services, and the public’s patience is appreciated.
Roseview Transit is currently hiring drivers for its vans as well as its buses, with a goal of resuming its previous schedule. A job description is available at www.richmondindiana.gov/postings/roseview-transit-bus-driver.
Cost to ride Roseview Transit
Richmond’s city bus service ride rates are: $1.75 regular fare; $1.50 reduced student, senior citizen or disabled fare; $43 regular monthly bus pass; $35 reduced student, senior citizen or disabled fare; children younger than 5 ride free. For more information, call (765) 983-7227 or visit www.richmondindiana.gov/resources/public-transportation.