At a recent meeting, local non-nonprofits and community members met at the United Way of Lamar County to learn status of the “Paris Metro”: a fixed route bus system slated to serve the community.
A detailed map (pictured) was presented showing changes suggested by the community at the meeting in August. “We drove each of these routes and mapped proposed stops”, said Nancy Hoehn, Transportation Coordinator, Ark-Tex Council of Government (ATCOG) “It was a time consuming process, but the best way to adequately identify timing points and potential barriers.”
The next step will be to submit the plans for these stops to the City of Paris for approval. A prototype of the signage presented, and materials for construction of the signs, have been approved for purchase. A tentative start date could be as early as March 1, 2016.
“This is where the rubber meets the road”, said April Carl, Executive Director, United Way of Lamar County. “We began by developing the community support needed to begin the project. However, this is where the real work begins — providing ongoing operating costs to support this much needed service.”
Our current TRAX System – “demand response” is very expensive and the demand for these services far exceeds their current capacity. It requires an advance reservation and the high volume also creates challenges, with many elderly left waiting 3 or more hours in physician’s waiting rooms for their ride to return. Knowing a ride will be available on a regularly scheduled time will change the quality of life for many living in our community.
For additional information, or to get involved contact April Carl, United Way of Lamar County at unitedway@suddenlinkmail.com, or call 903-784-6642.