A honk cuts through the groan of a baler compressing cardboard and a beeping forklift. Wow, quarter to noon already. The Alliance Public Transit (APT) bus driver waits outside the Keep Alliance Beautiful Recycling Center for his usual pick up of a co-worker who takes advantage of the service most days.
From the world’s largest metropolitan areas to communities smaller than Alliance, public transit reduces pollution and congestion by moving more people with fewer vehicles. I appreciate our local options, including APT to get around town and Panhandle Trails, which links Alliance to other communities and transportation options.
Alliance Public Transit Director Paige Pohlman described the workings of the service and its value to riders.
The city of Alliance took over the transportation system from Box Butte County six years ago, Paige explained, adding ridership has increased by 10,000 annually since she started four years ago. Five vehicles run 6 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday – all “on demand” as passengers contact the dispatcher. The fleet consists of three 12-seat, 2-wheelchair buses, with another to be added soon, and two 4-passenger, 1-wheelchair vans. For a ride, call 761-7433 or 762-7433. Two other options recently became available. New software supports an app: ctsriderportal; and a website: requestmyrides.com.
Weekday trips crisscrossing the city add up. Paige said APT was just shy of 23,000 riders in 2021. Drivers log about 69,000 miles a year and currently average 150 riders a day. Four fulltime and four part-time divers split up the schedule. Paul Kusek has been a driver for almost six years. Paige mentioned two others with three years. The service area is Alliance, two miles beyond city limits on improved roads at $1 each stop and the airport for $5.
Fares, however, only defray about $1,000 of monthly expenses. Paige said the rest comes from local matches, the City budget and reimbursement through state and federal grants. Vehicles are serviced as needed at Alliance businesses with lift maintenance performed in Scottsbluff.
Public transit is about people who would be hard pressed to access other transportation options. Paige explained that 95 percent of passengers are regular riders. She works to make connections with first-time callers as well, who may need a ride in the future. “We get told all the time how grateful they are,” Paige said. “People tell us they wouldn’t be able to function without it.”
Drivers park in front of familiar addresses to take people to work, school, doctors appointments and grocery stores among other expected destinations. Even when the City is closed for a holiday, buses run for dialysis/medical service. Calling a ride when you need it will continue to be a benefit that “works for our community,” Paige said, noting a lot of places don’t run on demand anymore. Alliance has not opted for advanced notice and found local residents are not interested in a fixed route.
“I’ve looked back since the City took over and numbers are constantly growing,” Paige said. “We help people who are financially struggling so they are still getting their needs met.”
Paige said they get feedback all the time. Though a lot of it is positive, she said drivers are good about addressing negative comments. Most often, drivers lend an ear to stories happy and sad. “Drivers are like therapists,” Paige said. “They (passengers) are comfortable enough to let it all out. . . . Nice to know my drivers are going above and beyond for our riders. (My favorite part of the job is knowing) we are actually making a difference in people’s lives.”