Texas Transit Association

It will be one year ago Thursday that City Area Rural Rides (CARR) took over Stage Transit and brought new life to its employees and the residents of Nolan County.

April 21, 2004
CARR celebrates one year in Sweetwater

In April of 2003, Central Texas Rural Transit District (CTRTD) began providing Rural Public Transportation service in Nolan and Rural Taylor counties. The agency was contacted on Friday, April 11, 2003, by the Texas Department of Transportation requesting assistance in the temporary provision of Public Transportation services in Rural Taylor and Nolan Counties. On Monday, April 14, 2003, CARR personnel arrived in Nolan County at 5:00 a.m. to pick up their first passengers in Nolan County. J.R. Salazar, General Manager of City And Rural Rides, said, “It was a difficult situation for all involved, and he did not know what to expect upon their arrival.”

“We were met with extreme gratitude of passengers who stated that they did not know what they would have done if CARR would not have been their to pick them up that morning,” said Salazar.

During that month, CARR transported 170 one-way trips. Ridership has seen an increase since that time to over 1,200 one way trips per month in Nolan and Rural Taylor Counties. The agency projects ridership in its ten county service area to top 120,000 one way trips an increase from the previous year by 20,000 one way trips or 19 percent.

City And Rural Rides initiated the interviewing and hiring of the previous Stage drivers to assist the former Stage staff who had been left unemployed and also to provide for a smoother transition for customers. This included the hiring of five drivers, one driver supervisor, and a community services assistant (former Stage dispatcher). One additional dispatcher was added at the administrative office to assist in scheduling.

Marketing has been extremely important in promoting Public Transportation ridership in Nolan County. Although there was not a need for a local dispatcher in Sweetwater as all dispatching is centralized at the administrative office in Coleman, Nevada O’Pry was reassigned to the position of Community Services Assistant. Nevada’s been quite busy over the past year as her primary job is to go out into the local communities and make presentations about CARR.

Presentations have been made in all parts of Rural Taylor and Nolan Counties, including the smaller towns within each county. J.R. Salazar, General Manager, David Pantoja, Driver Supervisor, Jennifer Brudney, Operations Manager and O’Pry have made presentations at Nolan County Commissioners’ Court, the Rotary Clubs, the local Lions Clubs, and senior citizens centers. In addition, door to door campaigns have been conducted distributing literature about CARR.

CARR also conducted a television campaign advertising on the local television affiliate. Additional campaigns have included: New Riders ride for free, Christmas tour of lights promotion, participation in local parades, and joining of the Abilene and Sweetwater Chamber of Commerce.

In May of 2003, a temporary office was established in Sweetwater housing Nolan County personnel. CTRTD is still searching for a permanent office.

In October of 2003, CARR opened a satellite office within the city of Abilene. This facility not only houses office space for Rural Taylor County Drivers, but also serves as a waiting station for the many passengers that CARR brings into Abilene from the surrounding counties and serves as a relay station. This provides the customers with a comfortable environment including comfortable furniture, tables, children’s area, television, vending area, and bathroom which to wait if it is needed. The facility is located in a shopping center area affording passengers an opportunity to walk to nearby shops and restaurants.

This past month, Nolan County received its first Type III Bus which will seat 21 passengers or 15 with three wheelchairs. This vehicle is being placed in Sweetwater in an effort to meet increasing demand.

J.R. Salazar, General Manager states, “We truly appreciate the support shown to City And Rural Rides by Nolan County Judge Tim Fambrough, Nolan County Commissioners, area business leaders, and members of the community. We look forward seeing a continue growth in ridership and will make every effort to provide the best possible service to the residents of Nolan County.”

By J. Kyle Martin

The Reporter News Editor