Data Bus: New routes in July

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Delaware Area Transit Agency held two public hearings Monday allowing riders to review and give feedback on proposed new bus routes.

Crystal James, operations director, said DATA Bus will take comments until June 12 and route changes would take effect July 5.

“Nothing is set in stone,” James said after the first hearing. “We’re still working very hard on timing and there maybe, based on public comment, still some tweaking.”

DATA Bus has been working in the past months with the Delaware Area Chamber of Commerce, Orange Township, Delaware City, Delaware County Economic Development and area businesses to develop routes that provide rides for employees to work.

The Green Route, James said, had major changes to focus more on getting people to and from jobs in Delaware County.

“Especially with our Express Route,we are now focusing on jobs in southern Delaware County,” she said. “We’ve incorporated some of their industrial parkway and a lot of big-box retailers so people can get to and from work.”

“And also get there in a timely manner and not have to ride up to two hours as our routes have been in the past,” James added.

The DATA Bus will run three morning and three afternoon Express Routes Monday through Friday, focused on getting people to jobs and to connect to the Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) in Columbus.

DATA is offering for the first time Saturday Green Routes with four proposed midday runs making stops at businesses and stores along U.S. 23 and Polaris Parkway and connecting to COTA at Sancus Boulevard.

James said there had been some layout changes to the Gray Route that include adding the Advance Auto Parts Distribution Center and stops at the industrial park on U.S. 23.

James said one of the exciting things for the Orange Route is the addition of a grocery store on the route.

“There was always a transfer that needed to be made at the hub,” she said. “The Orange Route will now have Kroger Westfield.”

James said the Troy Road Shopping Center had been added to the Orange Route and any stops removed were moved to other routes.

James said SourcePoint and Ohio Health were added to the Blue Route while the Yellow Route would make stops at the Hayes Building, Lincoln Avenue and Union Street, Sandusky Street and Spring, and Sandusky Street and Central Avenue.

James said the Pink Route operating on Wednesday has a proposed addition of service. She said the route currently travels from the hub on Park Avenue to People in Need on Johnson Drive, but in July Lutheran Social Services (LSS) Food Pantry on London Road will be added to the route.

Changes can be viewed at www.ridedata.com and DATA will accept comments on the new routes until noon Monday, June 12.

Riders make transfers at the DATA Bus Hub on Park Avenue. DATA held two public hearings Monday on their proposed new routes to take effect July 5.
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2017/06/web1_IMG_1484_F.jpgRiders make transfers at the DATA Bus Hub on Park Avenue. DATA held two public hearings Monday on their proposed new routes to take effect July 5. D. Anthony Botkin | The Gazette

By D. Anthony Botkin

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D. Anthony Botkin may be reached at 740-413-0902 or on Twitter @dabotkin.

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