Bus ridership up 41 percent

With a 99 percent on-time rate, bus travel in Lake Havasu City is quite the alternative to high gas prices.

More and more people are taking advantage of bus travel, according to Gary Parsons, manager of Havasu Area Transit (HAT).

“Our ridership is growing by leaps and bounds,” Parsons said.

In fact, the number of riders has been steadily increasing over the past year. Parsons said the numbers were up 41 percent overall with the beginning of the fiscal year July 1. The September 2008 numbers were 45 percent better than last year.

New programs like the Bus Buck are responsible for the increase, according to Parsons. With the Bus Buck, riders can purchase 30 coupons valued at $1 apiece for only $24, which allows riders to the freedom to use the bus at their leisure.

Regular riders often purchase a fixed pass, though, Parsons said. With the fixed pass, riders have unlimited access to the bus monthly for only $30.

“People are really excited about the low fares,” Parsons said.

HAT is also offering more rides per hour than ever before. With 18 buses, including eight that were recently added, five different routes that operate as far as Bashas’ on Maricopa Avenue to the new Wal-Mart north of town and non-stop departures every hour from 5:50 a.m. and 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, bus transit is becoming more accessible to the residents of Lake Havasu City.

Parsons did note they have stopped Sunday travel, due to a lack of riders. Surprisingly, Parsons pointed to a decrease in the number of churchgoers riding as a reason.

“We researched bus travel on Sundays and determined we were averaging only 3.5 trips to churches,” he said.

Bus travel is still being offered on Saturdays from around 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Parsons realizes bus travel can be very important to some of the city’s senior citizens. HAT recently took over the Seniors on the Move program from Mohave County. The program offers special travel three days a week to the Lake Havasu Senior Center for lunch and two days a week for medical and shopping needs.

Bus transit has not been without its problems, though. As with most travel, high gas prices have had an effect. In July, Parsons said bus transit, alone, cost the city $25,000 in gas. The average figures per month are usually around $12,500. All buses run on diesel fuel.

Budget cutbacks are keeping bus transit from expanding, as well. Parsons stated he doesn’t see transit service expanding until the economy improves, which he believes may not happen until after 2009.

They could implement increases in service with the establishment of a Metropolitan Planning Organization, though. MPO’s are Federal organizations that exist all over the country to help urban communities develop transportation programs, facilities and plans.

Parsons believes a transit system that is on time, is a transit system residents would rely upon. A system so accurate a resident recently told Parsons that he could set his watch by the bus arrival near his home.

“I believe we have a first-class transit service,” Parsons said.

Havasu Area Transit is currently looking for more drivers for their Seniors on the Move program.

For this and other information, including bus scheduled and bus stop locations, residents may contact Havasu Area Transit Dispatch at 453-7600.