Tuesday, December 7, 2010

#78: TRANSPO & Public Hearings

Do you not own a car in South Bend?  Are you petrified of driving in these wintry conditions?  Are you just looking for something--anything!--to do to combat cabin fever or the Christams craze?

The solution is...TRANSPO.

[TRANSPO (n.) = not an abbreviation, but the official name of South Bend/Mishawaka's bus system; see information on fares here and routes here]

I used TRANSPO for five weeks while my car was in the shop, and I found it incredibly convenient for getting around town during the day, although the schedule slows down at night.  From University Park mall to the airport, TRANSPO can get you there.  (Just have some patience to wait for it.)

However, as with most public transportation in the United States, it isn't as used enough to make it financially profitable.  This reason, I presume, is why TRANSPO has hired an outside firm to analyze its operations and is hosting three public meetings to hear thoughts on its "fixed route service".   Fixed-route service--regular routes at scheduled times--is the norm for transit systems, so I'm interested to hear what alternatives there are.

These are the details on these meetings:
Tuesday, Dec. 7 (today!)- 3:00-4:00 PM and 6:00-7:00 PM at TRANSPO's South Street Station, 100 W. South St.
Wednesday, Dec. 8 - 6:00-7:00 PM at Mishawaka-Penn-Harris Public Library, Spencer Gallery, 209 Lincoln Way East

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