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ECAT Planning Expanded Local North Escambia Service
March 6, 2018
Escambia County Area Transit (ECAT) is planning an expanded service in North Escambia as soon as October 1.
ECAT General Manager Mike Crittenden told the Century Town Council Monday night that the county transit system is looking to purchase two 9-10 passenger vehicles to run an “on demand” service. The vehicles will be based in Century and serve communities including Century, Bratt, Walnut Hill and Molino.
Riders will call ECAT a day in advance to schedule a ride in the area with pickup at the their home or other location and local transport within the area. The vehicles will not run fixed-stop routes, but will connect to current fixed route ECAT service to Pensacola.
Crittenden said the service will likely charge ECAT’s current rate of $2.50 to $3.50 per ride, Monday-Friday from 6 a.m. until 7 p.m. — or other days and hours to be determined based upon public input.
ECAT is applying for two grants to purchase the vehicles and provide the service; however Crittenden said the service will still be a go without the grants. ECAT will present realigned routes at an upcoming Escambia County Commission meeting that may cut lower performing routes elsewhere in the county but the service to Century from Pensacola through Cantonment and Molino will remain.
“The current route (to Pensacola), won’t be going anywhere,” he said.
The Century Council voted to a send a letter of support for the expanded service to the Escambia County Commission.
Pictured: Escambia County’s Transit Division Manager Tonya Ellis and General Manager Mike Crittenden address the Century Town Council Monday night. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Comments
15 Responses to “ECAT Planning Expanded Local North Escambia Service”
I have never seen a ECAT Vehicle in Bratt or Walnut Hill and I live in the middle of this area. I quess it just sounds better finacially to include us. ?
I am all for helping the Elderlly and those that are in need by no fault of their own but not those that use frebbies so they can use their money for things that are not needed.
They have that in Brewton my sister and husband had to use it to go to the Dr.
Actually though, doesn’t this replace the big bus running up and down the highway over and over? Plus it brings fairness to the north end of the area. I think they actually are thinking out of the box, streamlining the service yet providing transportation and a lot of it is funded by federal grants. The north end has been subsidizing it for the south end for years.
The on demand is a good idea. Common sense, at first it looks like an expansion of the total ECAT but isn’t this just another way of doing business that may be cost effective in the long run than the large bus running empty regardless of riders?
If the two newer vans stay parked they are not wasting gas.
Utilize the service. I wonder if it gives some one a job in Century– to work for ECAT.
Tabby; It’s not April Fools day, but the taxpayers of this county are the fools for re-electing the county commission that keeps letting this garbage go on.
Read the article….call one day ahead and the mini-bus will pick you up at home. Apparently, the upper most towns will be served. William, do you know if perhaps West Pensacola, Beulah, some other fringe areas will eventually get mini-bus route?
I’m parking my car this deal is to good to be true.
Where can I turn in a voucher for the gas money and wear and tear on my car to go to Pensacola and return?
Is there designated places to board and un-board these buses now? I was driving down highway 29 headed north and it was dark. The bus pulled off of highway on to the grass where a car was sitting. Is this a legal drop off? Very dangerous to pull off of a busy highway on the shoulder to pick up or drop off passengers. This is just another freebie that all of us that works our butts off and pays taxes to provide for some that don’t!
Let’s see; Recently the County Commission was looking at cutting routes to save some hard earned taxpayer money. This week, the management of ECAT is adding what amounts to subsidized cab service in Century. The taxpayers are already subsidizing ECAT to the tune of $10,000,000 per year. How much more will this added service cost the taxpayers? Commissioners;put ECAT on a break even budget, or shut it down, because we, the taxpayers can’t afford to pay any more in fees or taxes to fund such money pits.
Escambia county taxi service. Why can’t a regular taxi service do this?
So ECAT, who can’t operate without county tax money, is going into the UBER business? This should turn out well.
$3.50 per ride, will not cover the cost to operate the bus.
Finally. Something positive, needed, and actually usable for our area. Is this April 1st ?
Way to waste money ECAT, I thought just weeks ago you were on board with Century running their own service at a saving to tax payers.
WOW! And this is an entity who is losing money in their operations already – big time! To use 10 passenger size buses to drive 1 person to a location of their choice at their convenience is insane! Are they planning on making this service available to anybody? No more need for cabs or Uber? For $2.50 a bus will come to your house and take you anywhere you want to go?