New bus, new name for transit service
Published 12:00 am Thursday, July 25, 2002
A new bus for Albert Lea public transit that replaces the Lakeview Trolley was introduced to local citizens Wednesday.
The 20-seater, dubbed the Freeborn County Connection, boasts various safety measures like a step heater, rear window and mirror defrosters, and lower floor, taking care of senior citizens, who made up about 85 percent of 15,000 annual passengers on the Lakeview Trolley. For the environment and fuel efficiency, its engine is designed to run with biodiesel-based fuel when it becomes available.
Of the $54,000 price, $12,000 was contributed locally.
Representatives from the City of Albert Lea, Chamber of Commerce and other organizations, and Rep. Dan Dorman, R-Albert Lea, attended a dedication ceremony for the new bus at the Farmer’s Market Square.
&uot;Freeborn County has a higher percentage of seniors. Public transit is important for them to be mobile,&uot; said Jean Meyer, Minnesota Department of Public Transportation District 6 transit project manager.
Doris Hagen, Transportation Coordinator for Senior Resources, which is in charge of the bus operation, believes the new bus is the start of consolidating public transportation services in the county.
The organization plans to launch a county-wide dial-a-ride bus service using the retired Lakeview Trolley. It’s also considering extending the service hours of city route service to commuting times in the morning and evening. Currently the bus runs between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.
MnDot provides 60 percent of the $78,000 annual operating cost. The rest comes from fare box revenue and the City of Albert Lea.
Hagen has been asking the county to take part in the program. But the county has reservations about being responsible for matching up to 35 percent of the state grant, questioning the scope of demand for the public transportation service. Census 2000 data indicates only 0.4 percent of 15,801 workers in the county use the public transportation for commuting.