The Delaware Area Transit Agency is proposing system-wide service changes which are scheduled to take effect July 5.
DATA has been working with the Delaware Area Chamber of Commerce, Orange Township and the Delaware City and County Economic Development Departments, as well as area businesses, to develop routes that create opportunities to get to businesses and the jobs they provide.
Feedback from rider surveys also contributed to the system changes, according to a news release.
All four Delaware City routes will be realigned and will no longer be identified by direction to improve efficiency. New stops are planned including in the industrial park along Pittsburgh Drive, Johnson Drive and Houk Road. A few stops have been removed due to low ridership, but most have an alternate stop within a short distance.
DATA’s special Wednesday Route to People In Need and the DATA office is proposed to have a stop added on London Road at the LSS food pantry.
The Green Route that traditionally travels from the Delaware Library to Crosswoods along U.S. 23 is slated to have the biggest changes with 16 new business, shopping and entertainment destinations.
Morning and early evening express routes will continue to connect to COTA Bus at Crosswoods, while midday runs will connect DATA to COTA along stops on Sancus Boulevard. The Green Route will offer more frequent travel, with the addition of three new run times.
DATA is responding to passenger requests by offering Saturday Green Routes for the first time. Proposed are four midday runs, making stops at businesses and stores along Route 23 and Polaris Parkway and then connecting to COTA at Sancus Boulevard.
Two public hearings will be held on Monday June 5 at DATA’s Office at 119 Henderson Court Delaware, at 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. to allow for public review and comment of the fixed route changes.
After the public hearing the changes can be viewed at www.ridedata.com. DATA will accept comments on the new routes until noon Monday, June 12.
