WARRICK CO., IN (WFIE) -
Its been nearly two years since public buses began their routes in Warrick County, and even though the routes are new, ridership is growing.
Those riders who want to travel between counties can transfer from a Warrick County WATS bus to a Vanderburgh County METS bus on Epworth Road near the ITT Institute. It's this vital connection point that officials say is the reason why ridership continues to grow.
"I think the WATS system is fantastic to have, It's a great service to the community, and it really helps a lot of people out," said WATS rider James Sites.
A lot of people like Sites ride both WATS and METS buses to get just about anywhere, but most importantly for Sites, work about eight miles away.
"It would be very inconvenient getting back and forth to work," Sites said.
"It had been about 30 or 40 years before there had been any public bus system in Warrick County, previously," said Jim Wilsbacher, who is on the WATS Advisory Committee.
Users have been very responsive. Ridership has jumped from 2,200 in the first quarter of 2011 to more than 6,200 this year in the first three months alone.
"It's very economical. A dollar a ride, 50 cents if you are over 60," Wilsbacher said.
But it's not just the price, it's the convenience and freedom of a smooth transfer from a WATS bus to a METS bus.
"Our largest amount of traffic are those travelling to and from Warrick County and Vanderburgh County," Wilsbacher said.
There are four routes in Warrick County with Boonville being the fastest growing route. It was also the last route to be added.
"We really feel its important for people who want to get to and from work. It helps provide jobs for people that otherwise might not be able to get that job. It's very important in that regard. It gets people back and forth to doctors appointments and a lot of people use it to go shopping in one community or another," Wilsbacher said.
Although ridership varies each day, bus drivers say they did see an increase last week during the extreme heat.
"I think a lot of people appreciate it, and there is a need for it," said WATS bus driver Damon Monks.
"I'd hate to think what it would have been like last week when it was a 107-108, or during the winter time when it snows, or days even just when it rains," Sites said.
Ride Solutions who operates the WATs buses also offers door to door service for just $2.00 if you stay in the same community and little more if you want to go farther. You just need to call and set up an appointment.
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