Bus riders object to TANK route changes
Petitions oppose dropped services Wednesday, April 8, 1998BY EARNEST WINSTON
The Cincinnati Enquirer
FORT THOMAS -- Joyce Goodrich of Fort Thomas has collected more than 100 signatures on a petition opposing elimination of two weekend bus routes she and other seniors use regularly.
The Transit Authority of Northern Kentucky (TANK) expects to vote today on a proposal to consolidate, eliminate and add several routes.
The 6 p.m. meeting is at TANK headquarters on Madison Pike (Ky. 17).
"What TANK is doing is completely wrong," said Mrs. Goodrich, 68, who opposes the elimination of Route 11 (Fort Thomas - Northern Kentucky University) and Route 16 (Grand Towers Apartments in Newport). "I have no car . . . I need the bus service."
Mrs. Goodrich, who has prepared a speech for tonight's meeting, said she also will make copies of her petition for each board member. "They've looked at the surveys, and they have taken into consideration everything that the people have said," spokeswoman Gina Shipley said. "(Riders) will hopefully be pleased with what the outcome will be."
TANK may consider reducing service to areas with less than five riders, rather than completely eliminating the routes, Ms. Shipley said. TANK has received the most feedback in support of the following routes, which either operate on weekends or holidays:
Route 3 - Ludlow and Bromley. Route 11 - Fort Thomas and Northern Kentucky University.
Route 16 - Grand Towers Apartments.
TANK hopes to implement the changes by July 1.
Several municipalities also have asked TANK to carefully consider the proposed changes or to not eliminate routes in their communities. "I'm concerned that removing the Saturday and Sunday service, and reducing the number of times throughout the week, is going to create a hardship for people who depend on the bus for transportation," Newport Commissioner Jerry Peluso said.
Newport City Manager Jim Parsons said he would send a letter asking TANK to keep Route 16.
Jeff Earlywine, Fort Thomas city administrator, asked TANK in a letter to "carefully consider" the proposed changes.
In addition, Campbell County Judge-executive Ken Paul has sent TANK a 150-plus petition opposing the elimination of Route 16. "There should be some service to (Grand Towers Apartments), so that they aren't cut off for two days in a row," Mr. Paul said.
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