Kids Find Bus Route Fun And Easy

A view from inside the “Oskaloosa Rides” bus as it makes its way past the Oskaloosa Elementary School area.

Oskaloosa, Iowa – With the simple turn of a key, the Oskaloosa Rides bus route started off the first day of operation.

On Monday morning, Alan Munger and Talon Munger caught the Oskaloosa Rides Bus to see for themselves what the route was like. “We just wanted to support it,” said Alan. “We are glad to have it, so we thought we would just ride the route today because it’s the first day.”

Alan and Talon took the bus from their house, and enjoyed the ride as the bus made its way through the route’s hour long loop. Alan, who also owns a car and drives most times said, “We just think it’s great for the kids, a great way for the kids to get around,” especially those who don’t yet drive.

Talon Munger, a younger person himself who’s not yet driving, thought, “It’s pretty cool.”

Now that Talon has taken the bus already, he feels comfortable and familiar with the way it operates and plans to”Get on it, go to the skate park, the trail, whatever.”

Mahaska County United Way Executive Director Amy Langdon shared her first day experience with the bus. “I was riding it this morning to make sure any kids taking it to Oskaloosa Summer Lunch were able to get there, and this… around 10-year-old boy got on. He said he was taking the bus to a friend’s house. He got on so confidently and knew exactly where he was going and what he was doing. I was so excited to see it really being used, and that a kiddo felt comfortable using it. I just wished I had a certificate for him saying ‘Oskaloosa Rides First Passenger’.”

Langdon said that she is happy to see the bus route come to fruition.

Oskaloosa Rides Route Map (click for larger version)

Oskaloosa Rides Stop Schedule (click for larger version)