ECAT Rolls Out Three Buses, Free Rides For Students

February 8, 2023

Escambia County Area Transit (ECAT) rolled out three new transit buses Tuesday — the first full-size new buses in nearly a decade.

The three new 2022 Gillig buses are the first buses to be added to the fleet since 2014. Equipped with seated capacity for 23 riders and additional hand straps for riders to safely stand, has wi-fi, contains automatic passenger counters, and can accommodate two wheelchairs and two bicycles.

ECAT is also promoting the Student Transit Empowerment Pass (STEP) Program that provides free rides for students under age 18.  STEP pass applications will be available online or in person at ECAT customer service offices. Applications must be completed by a parent or legal guardian and are valid until the end of the school year.

Pictured: Escambia County Commissioner Lumon May speaks in front of a new transit bus during an ECAT event Tuesday afternoon. Image for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Comments

14 Responses to “ECAT Rolls Out Three Buses, Free Rides For Students”

  1. Vera Douglas on February 10th, 2023 8:59 pm

    The bus system is a great service to this community and if it weren’t for the attitudes shown in some of these comments alot more people would probably absil themselves to it’s use..it really needs expanding to make it more practical for riders going to work school drs appts every hour or two hours pick up is a long wait and sometimes impractical for set schedule …but it is a great saviour for those of us who for one reason or another cannot drive…and greatly appreciated by those of us who do ride quite frequently…a blessing to our community

  2. Swamp Gas on February 9th, 2023 9:22 am

    Thank goodness these public transportation buses are not in Santa Rosa County.

  3. yellarhammer on February 9th, 2023 12:03 am

    If they keep getting buses smaller they might fill them up.

  4. Teresa Pearl Back on February 8th, 2023 4:20 pm

    Idk what y’all are going on about, 90% of the busses I get in every day are PACKED. I see folks, especially elderly get off all the time because there is no room for them and they physically can’t stand the whole trip. We need more busses and more routes!

  5. Manny Packioww on February 8th, 2023 1:43 pm

    At 15 I took a bus to my job as a bus boy at a downtown restaurant. Science bless the bus system. I’m sorry everyone complaining has it so well that they don’t need public transportation.

  6. Bob on February 8th, 2023 1:12 pm

    “No one uses the buses because they are underfunded”

    “The buses are underfunded because no one uses them”

    ad infinitum.

  7. Not You on February 8th, 2023 12:07 pm

    @Master Mechanic the buses run on CNG.

  8. Citizen on February 8th, 2023 10:57 am

    I work for a State Agency that serves those with disabilities. I can attest that for years, the disabled have needed more transportation around the city. These buses are being celebrated and we are very appreciative. Those who are complaining should consider that there are those in the county who are unable to drive for many reasons, who still need to get to their employment, churches, and do their shopping in town. Many students do not have access to transportation, and want to work after school. These new buses are a Godsend for thousands, and only a beginning to the updates in public transportation that are needed to bring this area up to the level of Tampa or Daytona Beach.

  9. ensley boy on February 8th, 2023 10:15 am

    I wonder if the windows are tinted to protect the harmful rays of the sun or so the public cannot see that the buses are nearly empty.? We already pay an extra 4 cent a gallon on gas to support the empty buses so the ” free ” ride for students will probably increase that tax.

  10. RWA on February 8th, 2023 8:27 am

    So, the bus driver’s now become babysitters? Not sure why they needed to add full size buses because they don’t have the riders to fill them. Maybe that’s why they are adding this program to allow children to ride for what they are calling “free”. I see this going well.

  11. Tax Payer at Large on February 8th, 2023 7:46 am

    Nothing is free!!!!

  12. Master Mechanic on February 8th, 2023 7:18 am

    Are they (BUSES) gas,Diesel,or electric ?

  13. Ecatfoe on February 8th, 2023 7:06 am

    When are the county commissioners going to raise the tax on gas to support a bus that runs up and down the road empty. What a waste of the citizens of Escambia County’s money

  14. RW on February 8th, 2023 6:32 am

    ECAT /// TOTAL RIPOFF OF TAX MONEY

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News