Oskaloosa Rides Address Stop Changes
Oskaloosa Rides
Oskaloosa, Iowa – The fixed bus route has been in operation for over a year now in Oskaloosa, operating on every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9am to 5:30pm.
This past week, a group of interested and involved individuals with the project got together to talk about what the future of that bus route may look like by providing feedback about the bus route.
Dylan Mulfinger, with the City of Oskaloosa, helped to facilitate the discussion. Mulfinger has worked with United Way Director Amy Langdon Meyer during the past 2 years.
Mulfinger said that some stops along the route are facing changes, after conversations with the bus driver and input from other users. Mulfinger said one of the biggest changes to the route may be at the elementary school, where the route got very little usage. The route will now look to add a stop at the Inglenook and Norwich Apartments.
During the summer months the bus route was averaging about 50 riders per day, which is considerable growth from the previous summer which averaged about 12 riders per day.
Summers mean many children utilize the bus to get places around the community. When summer turns to winter, the ridership once again increases as old man winter makes walking less desirable.
“We’re doing well as far as growth, and that’s really what’s important to continue,” said Meyer.
The Oskaloosa Rides bus route is just past its first year of a two year pilot program. During that two year program, the Iowa DOT and local match funds helped to make the pilot program possible, but now it will be a decision for the city council to look at and decide if it’s a priority for funding.
The new route should be going into effect at the beginning of November.
For seniors, or those with disabilities that keep them from being able to use the fixed bus route, a paratransit bus is available for individuals that meet the route guidelines. An application for the paratransit bus, and its approval, is required to utilize that service. You can schedule your ride by calling 1 (800) 227-6390 for service during the normal Oskaloosa Rides hours of service.
