When Clarksville Transit System Director Jimmy Smith presented the new route and rate structures to the public Monday evening at the Public Library, there were a few changes from the budget-balancing package approved several weeks ago by the City Council Transportation Committee, not the least of which was a controversial decision to eliminate transfers and replace that option with a second fare for the second length of all cross town trips.

CTS DIrector Jimmie Smith explains route changes that now service the new Gateway Health Center

Responding to public concern, Smith said the phone calls, letters and comments he and his staff have received all put the “transfer” issue at the top of the list, with respondents overwhelmingly calling for retention of the transfer system and voicing support for the system wide fare increase of 25 cents, which would raise the cost of a basic bus trip to $1.25.

Unexpectedly, the fare structure presented to the public Monday listed the basic fare as $1.25, with transfers remaining priced at 25 cents. Day passes would jump from $3.00 to $3.50. The fare structure approved by the Transportation Committee would have doubled the transit cost for many riders via the elimination of transfers. CTS responded to customer concern by recommending an across the board fare hike in lieu of the elimination of transfers.

CTS Transit Center in downtown Clarksville

Smith cited increased fuel costs as the prime reason behind the proposed fare hike, noting that prices at the start of the last fiscal year were $2.70 per gallon for diesel, a cost that by year’s end had topped $4.40. “When you are buying 250,000 gallons of diesel fuel a year, that’s a budget buster,” Smith said. “This has been the tightest budget in 22 years.” He noted that the City Council gave CTS a 49% budget increase this year, and added that fares cover approximately 16% of CTS operating costs.

Smith did say the the CTS is committed to offering free bus bus service citywide on critical air quality days (when air qaulity warnings hit the red zone) as a matter of public health and safety.

CTS uses a fleet of 14 buses to provide service to a city of 115 square miles. Smith compared that statistic to Chattanooga, which has 48 buses serving a 128 square mile city. Smith said that his ideal would be to provide free transportation across the city, something that would “enhance the quality of life,” but that’s “not going to happen.”

City Councilor and Transportation Committee member Jim Doyle listens to constituents

City Councilor James Doyle, a member of the Transportation Committee, attended the meeting, telling resident that he makes it a point to ride the bus weekly and expressed his familiarity with the issues and the concerns of those dependent on public transportation. Neither Barbara Johnson, chair of the Transportation Committee, nor any other City Councilors or city officials attended the meeting.

The large meeting room was filled with oversized maps outlining proposed route changes that reflect community growth and and the areas to which service has been most frequently requested. The Oak Grove WalMart stop is being dropped from the schedule due to low ridership, while a new extended route along Tiny Town Road will now service the Great Escape Theaters. Smith noted that the community of Oak Grove, Kentucky, contributes nothing to the operation of CTS service in that town. Smith also presented changes that has already added service to the new Gateway Health center as an addition to the Governor Square Mall route. An additional bus bring the total to three vehicles serving that Mall/Hospital route (bus # 6) in a timely fashion.

“Our greatest request for service was to the St. Bethlehem, Trenton Road and Great Escape area,” Smith said. While portions of Trenton Road were not suitable for service at this time, future plans to improve that road will also impact accessibility by bus.

Concerned citizens ask questions, get clear and realistic answers

“If Clarksville is to be a city, we need transportation. How can a city progress without buses running at night and on Sunday?” Smith was asked.

Smith candidly explained that the surge in development in some sections of the city is not always the impetus to expand bus service in those areas. Smith cited a link between between development and housing as the key force driving potential bus routes. While night and Sunday service is the ideal, the demand is not there yet, in comparison to the need to fill in other gaps in the schedule.

“That’s what these new changes, especially the Tiny Town expanded service, is doing,” Smith said.

When you have a destination, people need service to get to that destination, Smith said, citing multi-use zoning that integrates business, medical offices and other “destinations” as the driving force in creating a need for additional or expanded bus routes. He pointed to the opening of the new hospital as a critical factor in altering the Route bus service.

Requests for late night and Sunday service were presented, and have been continually requested, but Smith explained that while these options are the “ideal,” they are not on the planning board at this time. Requests to expand service to the county were heard but rejected with the words “before we can cover the county, we need to cover al of Clarksville.”

“We know the system is not perfect,” Smith said, in responding to questions, adding that the new route changes will now service the Social Security office, and requests to provide service closer to the Department of Motor Vehicles, which issues photo ID cards to non-drivers, has also been considered.

Clarksville Online writer Turner McCullough Jr. both questions and comments on the proposed changes

Smith also presented the new bus service acround the APSU campus, which will be free to APSU students and staff with the appropriate ID, and will be available to the public at the normal fare.

The adjustments made by CTS to the fare and route schedules approved by the Transportation committee will be resubmitted to the Transportation Committee for final approval at their August 25th meeting at 4:00 p.m. in the City Hall Conference Room One Public Square 4th Floor. The new routes and rate changes, once approved by the Transportation Committee, will become official on September 1.

Unlike many city meetings where the public speaks only after the business of the day is complete, the CTS was a refreshing presentation that welcomed public input and had already responded to many CTS customer concerns, something that was reflected in the changes presented Monday night. It was one of the few times a public hearing ended with a round of applause for the presenters.

Anyone having questions or comments, or to get more information about the public hearing, may contact the Clarksville Transit System at (931) 553-2430 or write the Clarksville Transit System, 430 Boillin Lane, Clarksville, Tennessee, 37040.

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The elimination of transfers translates to a de facto 75 cent increase in bus fare for riders who need to utilize two buses navigate across town or into adjoining residential neighborhoods.

For example, anyone living in the Peacher’s Mills or Cunnigham Loop areas who would be coming or going from a business on the northern parameter of Fort Campbell Boulevard would still transfer at the Fort Campbell WalMart but would now pay a second full fare. Anyone who must travel on the Fort Campbell, Peacher’s Mill or Cunningham Loop buses to get the Hospital, Clarksville Public Library, municipal offices at Pageant Lane, the Department of Human Services or Health Department, all of which require trannsfers, will pay $4.00 per round trip with the new fare structure. Buying a day pass at $3.50 would be cheaper by 50 cents, even if it is only needed for one round trip.

As it stands, the new fare structure means cost of riding city buses could nearly double for many people who use the Clarksville Transit System. While the actual fare per ride will remain unchanged at $1.00 per ride, the 25 cent transfers will be history. That means riders who need to transfer would pay full fare for that second ride, the second half of their journey. Since it is impossible to go from the western side of town along Fort Campbell Boulevard to the mall area along Wilma Rudolph Boulevard or to Madison Street and the Sango area without a transfer, all of those passengers could see their transit costs nearly double. The same applies to governor Sqwquare Mall and Madison route people who need to go elsewhere in the city.

The CTS claims its basic fares, that $1 per ride and slightly lower fares for seniors and mobility impaired people, will remain unchanged. Except for the price of that ride on a second bus.

The elimination of service to WalMart in Oak Grove, Kentucky, could also eliminate service to the some areas on the northern fringe of Clarksville along the Kentucky border. The CTS will also include discussions of adjustments to routes Including, for example, the Bus 6 that now serves the new Gateway Hospital.

APSU students will have free CTA transit and shutltle service across campus, with Austin Peay State University uderwriting that cost at $71,000 per year, with a contract stipulating up to 3% increase per year.

The APSU Student Government Association, in contracting with CTS, will “provide students, faculty and staff free transportation around campus via The Peay Pickup and around town on CTS buses.” The CTS operated Peay Trolley pick-up will run across campus from 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. weekdays when the university is in session. Student activity fees will cover that cost.

Clarksville Transit System will operate the Peay Pick-up Trolley on and around campus between 7:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. weekdays when classes are in session. Peay pick-up cards are required for students using this new free transit system. Those pick-up cards will be available at both the Office of Student Affairs and the Morgan University Information Desk.

The Transportation Committee approved the following changes in transit rates:

* $3.50 for an unlimited day pass (a 50 cent increase)
* $45 for a 31-day pass (a $5 increase)
* $22.50 for a senior or mobility-impaired pass (a $2.50 cent increase)

At the hearing, CTS Director Jimmie Smith said fuel costs last year rose $145,000 over anticipated costs which were based on $2.25 per gallon. CTS is now scrambling to recoup that cost through this amended fare structure.

The public hearing will be an opportunity for those affected by this new fare schedule and proposed routes changes before they go into effect on September 1.

Clarksville Transit Center, the downtown hub for connecting buses

As it stands, the new fare structure means cost of riding city buses could nearly double for many people who use the Clarksville Transit System. While the actual fare per ride will remain unchanged at $1.00 per ride, the 25 cent transfers will be history. That means riders who need to transfer would pay full fare for that second ride, the second half of their journey. Since it is impossible to go from the western side of town along Fort Campbell Boulevard to the mall area along Wilma Rudolph Boulevard or to Madison Street and the Sango area without a transfer, all of those passengers could see their transit costs nearly double. The elimination of transfers translates to a de facto 75 cent increase in bus fare for riders who need to utilize two buses navigate across town or into adjoining residential neighborhoods.

For example, anyone living in the Peacher’s Mills or Cunnigham Loop areas who would be coming or going from a business on the northern parameter of Fort Campbell Boulevard would still transfer at the Fort Campbell WalMart but would now pay a second full fare. Anyone who must travel on the Fort Campbell, Peacher’s Mill or Cunningham Loop buses to get the Hospital, Clarksville Public Library, municipal offices at Pageant Lane, the Department of Human Services or Health Department, all of which require trannsfers, will pay $4.00 per round trip with the new fare structure. Buying a day pass at $3.50 would be cheaper by 50 cents, even if it is only needed for one round trip.

No mentioned has been made of extending the hours of operation for city buses, adding Sunday service or the use of smaller “mini” buses on routes with lower ridership, nor has the city considered a gradual switching to alternative fuel buses as many major urban areas are now doing (even New York City is running electric buses cross town).

The CTS claims its basic fares, that $1 per ride and slightly lower fares for seniors and mobility impaired people, will remain unchanged. Except for the price of that ride on a second bus.

The elimination of service to WalMart in Oak Grove, Kentucky, could also eliminate service to the some areas on the northern fringe of Clarksville along the Kentucky border. The CTS will also include discussions of adjustments to routes Including, for example, the Bus 6 that now serves the new Gateway Hospital.

APSU students will have free CTA transit and shutltle service across campus, with Austin Peay State University uderwriting that cost at $71,000 per year, with a contract stipulating up to 3% increase per year.

The APSU Student Government Association, in contracting with CTS, will “provide students, faculty and staff free transportation around campus via The Peay Pickup and around town on CTS buses.” The CTS operated Peay Trolley pick-up will run across campus from 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. weekdays when the university is in session. Student activity fees will cover that cost.

Clarksville Transit System will operate the Peay Pick-up Trolley on and around campus between 7:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. weekdays when classes are in session. Peay pick-up cards are required for students using this new free transit system. Those pick-up cards will be available at both the Office of Student Affairs and the Morgan University Information Desk.

The Transportation Committee approved the following changes in transit rates:

• $3.50 for an unlimited day pass (a 50 cent increase)
• $45 for a 31-day pass (a $5 increase)
• $22.50 for a senior or mobility-impaired pass (a $2.50 cent increase)

At the hearing, CTS Director Jimmie Smith said fuel costs last year rose $145,000 over anticipated costs which were based on $2.25 per gallon. CTS is now scrambling to recoup that cost through this amended fare structure.

The public hearing will be an opportunity for those affected by this new fare schedule and proposed routes changes before they go into effect on September 1.

In posting a legal notice about the hearing, the CTS states:

“The purpose of the Public Hearing is increases and adjustments in the CTS bus fare, including transfers and changes in some bus routes. At the hearing the CTS will consider public comments both oral and written. Anyone having questions or comments, or to get more information about the public hearing, may contact the Clarksville Transit System at (931) 553-2430 or write the Clarksville Transit System, 430 Boillin Lane, Clarksville, Tennessee, 37040.”

As I prepare to board the bus for my semi-annual sojourn north, ready to be “On the Road in America,” I am thinking of all the roadblocks thrust before me as I was pulling the jigsaw pieces of my itinerary puzzle together. Starting with the travel plans…

To begin with, there is no easy way to get where I am going from Tennessee. Take Amtrak and you have to navigate to Indianapolis first. Flying means not only getting to Nashville but landing in Hartford, navigating to a bus terminal and — taking the bus for hours and hours more. Or tripling the airfare to land in Burlington and — get to the bus station or train station and take a train. I’ve since resolved to take the scenic routes by Greyhound, which has, until this trip, been both flawless and economical. And scenic.

To begin with, I’ve been enjoying the 14-day advance purchase for my tickets for years. Apparently that particular and very appealing price option was discontinued on June 3. Okay. I was not happy about that, since I subscribe to Greyhound Rewards and never got a notice about this change. Neither did it show up on June 17 when I cruised their website double-checking prices and schedules. So I opted to buy a discounted 7-day advance purchase ticket. Yeah, right. Since buying online tickets involves surcharges that add up, I went to the Clarksville Greyhound Terminal, as I always do, to buy my ticket.

A very young person working behind the counter informed me that she couldn’t sell me a ticket because my destination, the first stop on my journey, Montpelier, did not exist. I spelled out and re-spelled the name of the city, even as she kept telling me all she could find was Mt. Mansfield (near the ski areas of Stowe) which proved Vermont and Greyhound did exist — somewhere in the Green Mountain State. Given that Montpelier is the state capitol, and the microscopic riverside trailer that serves as a terminal is a place I have been through dozens of times each year for the past ten years, a terminal that also serves a steady stream of locals and college students, I seriously doubted that the stop had been eliminated. Besides, just a few hours earlier I had researched my route, layovers, prices etc. online and had the schedule, the route numbers and times to back me up. No go. This gal said as far as she was concerned, there was no Montpelier. I stormed out, tired and agitated by the new wrinkle in what should have been a simple, straightforward purchase. I give you money. You give me a bus ticket. How hard can it be?

Irate, ticked off, and frustrated, I went home and promptly called Greyhound’s 800 number, noting to a very pleasant online travel agent that I wanted to book my ticket at the station to take advantage of the 7-day advance purchase.

“Of course we stop in Montpelier,” she told me. But as we booked the trip I encountered a second element of frustration: apparently 7-day fares now only apply to trips of 800 miles or less. Instead of leaving me hanging, however, this agent worked out a schedule that enabled me to maximize my savings by splitting the travel in half: I bought two tickets , one for each half of the trip. It would still cost more to do this than the price I got online originally — which quoted a price of $77 for the 7-day advance purchase. It was too late to argue the difference, and I will still get there when I need to. Buying two tickets online would have doubled the fees and surcharges so I opted to go back to the terminal, with instructions from this agent to have the local counterperson call her if she still couldn’t find Vermont.

As I stood there in the somewhat dilapidated, outdated terminal, finally getting my turn at the counter, the same young woman looked up at me, immediately went to the back of the office, and sent out a much older (read: experienced) agent who promptly found Montpelier with no extra effort, issued my two tickets. My passage to Vermont was ensured.

FYI: Like the airlines, Greyhound is taking up the slack over escalating fuel prices shifting the fares and by allowing only one free ‘under coach’ bag; a second bag costs $5.00 (still not a bad deal). Three bags per customer under the Coach means those bags will travel as freight, not luggage: I assume that means your excess luggage will get there “eventually.”

Having traveled by Greyhound for ten years, I have always bragged about the good deals. I often brag about it in print, since I write a chunk of my “On the Road in America” columns during the course of these bus trips. I meet people, talk to people, listen to people, observe people. I scour out the details, the minutia that is too easily overlooked by so many. I find stories everywhere, though I haven’t had to vent dissatisfaction over Greyhound service in nearly 40 years.

I haven’t had any major issues since one horrendous trip to Canada in the 1960s (another story). I’ve watched them neatly order five additional buses in the post-9-11 “afraid to fly” era when 200+ customers were waiting for a single bus. They coped, beautiful, with minimal delays, shifts in schedules with drivers who deftly made up for the delay. Smooth, seamless operation, that was. I’ve watched drivers settle two elderly people with “hearing dogs” aboard without blinking. Kind and courteous. I’ve noted the amenities of additional plugs in most terminals allowing customers to recharge cell phones and laptops.

I traveled Greyhound because of the ability to buy discounted fares and because they have affordably gotten me where I need to be, when I need to be there. Given the probabilities, or should I say inevitability, of further fuel hikes, the probability of discontinuing the advance purchase discounts looms large. If that happens, I will have to search out alternatives through online discounters for all forms of transit (planes/trains/buses), or possibly carpool with other Tennessee or southern state students to get there.

I am not a hard person to please; I live and work simply. But I expect things to work and I expect a certain level of professionalism from the people I deal with in business, particularly in customer service. This time, Greyhound fell flat, generating stress and triggering unnecessary aggravation. I was not the proverbial “happy puppy.”

When I finally settled in at home, tickets safely tucked in my travel bag, I went to the kitchen for a tall cold glass of my home-made lemonade. I looked out the kitchen window to see the brilliant full moon shining down on me.