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Public Transportation Helps Feed Residents of Rutherford County

Posted 6/18/2013 9:26:31 AM

RALEIGH — With the assistance of funds through the N.C. Department of Transportation, Rutherford County Transit is helping connect those in need with a local food bank through a unique partnership. In January, after seeing signs along the side of the road numerous times advertising free food at Storehouse Pantry, a local food pantry, Rutherford County Transportation Services Director Kerry Giles decided to learn more about the service and investigate ways that the transit system could help get the food to those who need it the most. Within a week, Rutherford County Transit began offering free transportation to Storehouse Pantry on Thursdays to residents who don’t have access to transportation. “This partnership is a perfect marriage of services,” said Giles. “The pantry provides the food and we eliminate the transportation barrier, ensuring that people are able to get to the food that they need – it just made sense.” Approximately 100 residents use the service a month, and Giles is looking at ways to increase those numbers. “We use five vans that seat eight people. With food onboard, we can only fit four people on each vehicle,” said Giles. “We’re working with local churches to set up a schedule where they use their vehicles to transport the food so we can fill our vans with more people.” In addition to transporting more people per vehicle, Rutherford County Transit is also looking at expanding hours of the service, which would enable the system to possibly schedule two runs per vehicle. They’re also running some routes on Tuesdays to accommodate residents from areas with a higher need. Giles is also looking to partner with other free food distribution sites in the area to increase the amount of food making its way to those who need it in Rutherford County. How it Works: Every Thursday from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m., Rutherford County Transit vans pick up residents of various communities. The current schedule is as follows: •    1st Thursday – Forest City, Cliffside and Henrietta; •    2nd Thursday – Rutherfordton, Spindale, Ruth and Green Hill; •    3rd Thursday – Sunshine, Bostic and Golden Valley; and •    4th Thursday – Ellenboro, Mooresboro and Harris. The service is offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Due to limited seating, interested riders must call in advance to reserve a seat. Upon arrival, riders must bring a form of identification, as well as proof of residency, such as a utility bill. Storehouse Pantry requires anyone interested in receiving free food to fill out an eligibility form. Residents can only ride once a month. One person per household, 18-years-old or older, can ride. No coolers can be brought on board and cancellations must be made at least 24 hours in advance. NCDOT’s Public Transportation Division (PTD) supports Rutherford County Transit through the Rural Operating Assistance Program. NCDOT-PTD awards grant funds to local public transportation systems. These grants enable systems to provide people in all 100 counties access to education, job opportunities and health care. For more information on grant programs through the Public Transportation Division of NCDOT, as well as transit systems that serve the public throughout the state, visit www.ncdot.gov/nctransit. ***NCDOT*** PTD

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Rutherford County Transit Driver Earl Crowder, right; and a passenger loading food into a transit vehicle.
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Public Transportation Internship in Polk County Now Open for Applications - Applications accepted now through March 8

Posted 2/27/2013 3:05:55 PM

RALEIGH — Experience in a chosen field is an important thing to have when looking for a job; however, getting that initial experience in the first place can be challenging. For graduate students, the N.C. Department of Transportation Public Transportation Division’s Internship Program offers the real-world experience necessary to pursue a career in the field of public transportation. One internship is available through this year’s Public Transportation Internship Program with the Polk County Transportation Authority in Columbus. The internship involves work in planning and scheduling for the system, as well as developing training materials. Applications are currently being accepted through March 8. Graduate students who are interested in public transportation and are in good standing at a college or university in North Carolina are eligible to apply. The 12-month internship starts in June, with the intern working 40 hours a week for approximately 12 weeks this summer, and approximately 10 hours per week during the fall and spring semesters. In addition to this internship, there are also seven apprenticeships available through the Public Transportation Division Apprenticeship Program. Current college seniors are encouraged to apply through March 1. More information about the Apprenticeship Program is available here. To apply for the internship or one of the seven apprenticeships, interested applicants must complete a State of North Carolina Employment Application, as well as other required documents, which can be found on the NCDOT-PTD business partner website under the “Apprenticeships and Internships” heading. The NCDOT Public Transportation Division awards grant funds to local public transportation systems. These grants enable systems to provide people in all 100 counties access to education, job opportunities and health care. For more information on grant programs through the Public Transportation Division of NCDOT, as well as transit systems that serve the public throughout the state, visit www.ncdot.gov/nctransit. ***NCDOT***

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PTD
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Haywood Public Transit to Cut Ribbon on New Facility This Week

Posted 2/11/2013 11:04:29 AM

RALEIGH — N.C. Department of Transportation Public Transportation Division Director Teresa Hart will join Haywood Public Transit staff and local officials on Tuesday, Feb. 12 at 1 p.m. to cut the ribbon on the new Haywood Public Transit administration facility and fleet lot. The new facility is located at the corner of Jones Cove Road and Armory Drive near Haywood Community College in Clyde. This location gives the system improved access to main roads, as well as Interstate 40 and U.S. 74, allowing for improved efficiency in coordination of services. In addition to administrative offices, the new facility, which cost a total of $928,000 to construct, also includes a secure gated lot for the system’s fleet of vehicles. Construction costs were paid for with $500,000 in state funding and $428,000 in funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. The NCDOT Public Transportation Division awards grant funds to local public transportation systems. These grants enable systems to provide people in all 100 counties access to education, job opportunities and health care. For more information on grant programs through the Public Transportation Division of NCDOT, as well as transit systems that serve the public throughout the state, visit www.ncdot.gov/nctransit. ***NCDOT***

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Haywood Public Transit administration facility and fleet lot. Photo courtesy of Haywood Public Transit. PTD
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Changes to Southeastern N.C. Greyhound Routes Effective Today

Posted 1/16/2013 4:57:34 PM

RALEIGH — Starting today, changes are in place for Greyhound routes operating between Raleigh and southeastern North Carolina. Greyhound’s Raleigh to Myrtle Beach, S.C. intercity bus route will be split into the following two routes linked in Wilmington: •    Raleigh to Wilmington to Jacksonville and return; and •    Jacksonville to Wilmington to Myrtle Beach and return By splitting the current route into two separate routes, passengers from both Raleigh and Jacksonville will be able to travel to Myrtle Beach and passengers from Myrtle Beach will be able to travel to both Raleigh and Jacksonville. Raleigh passengers will be able to transfer between the two runs in Wilmington. “With this schedule restructuring, Greyhound passengers have more flexibility with their travel needs to major markets within North Carolina,” said Andre Mitchell, Regional Vice President, Greyhound Lines Inc. “Customers can still connect to our 3,800 locations throughout North America and benefit from safe and affordable transportation services throughout the state.” In addition to these changes, the following routes will also see schedule changes effective today: •    Wilmington to Raleigh will operate in the evening instead of in the morning. •    Jacksonville to Raleigh will operate earlier in the morning so passengers can travel to Raleigh and connect to Greyhound’s 10 a.m. schedule to western points within its markets. The N.C. Board of Transportation in November approved $680,961 in state funding through the NCDOT Public Transportation Division Intercity Bus Program for the portion of these routes in North Carolina. These state funds match $680,960 in federal funds, totaling $1,361,921. The funding approved enables the routes to operate from Jan. 1, 2013 through June 30, 2014. Intercity bus services are fixed-route, scheduled services that provide long-distance transportation between North Carolina cities, as well as connections to the national intercity bus system. For more information on these routes, visit www.greyhound.com. The NCDOT Public Transportation Division awards grant funds to local public transportation systems. These grants enable systems to provide people in all 100 counties access to education, job opportunities and health care. For more information on grant programs through the Public Transportation Division of NCDOT, as well as transit systems that serve the public throughout the state, visit www.ncdot.gov/nctransit. About Greyhound Greyhound is the largest North American provider of intercity bus transportation, serving more than 3,800 destinations across the continent. The company also provides Greyhound Package Express (GPX) and charter services. For fare and schedule information and to buy tickets call 1-800-231-2222 or visit www.greyhound.com.    ***NCDOT*** PTD
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Greyhound Operating Intercity Bus Service Between Charlotte and Fayetteville

Posted 1/9/2013 3:43:04 PM

RALEIGH — Greyhound Lines Inc. is now operating the intercity bus route between Charlotte and Fayetteville that was previously operated by Coach America/Horizon Coach Lines. The route, which began operation in October 2010, serves Charlotte, Monroe, Wadesboro, Rockingham, Laurinburg and Fayetteville. It offers one round-trip run daily and connects with the Charlotte Area Transit System and Fayetteville Area System of Transit, as well as other Greyhound intercity bus routes. More than 12,000 riders have used the Charlotte to Fayetteville route since it began. Intercity bus services are fixed-route, scheduled services that provide long-distance transportation between North Carolina cities, as well as connections to the national intercity bus system. For more information on the Charlotte to Fayetteville route, visit www.greyhound.com. The N.C. Board of Transportation at its November meeting in Raleigh approved $217,144 to Greyhound Lines Inc. for the continuation of this service. The funding approved enables the route to continue operation from Jan. 1, 2013 through June 30, 2014. These state funds match $217,144 in federal funds, totaling $434,288. The NCDOT Public Transportation Division awards grant funds to local public transportation systems. These grants enable systems to provide people in all 100 counties access to education, job opportunities and health care. For more information on grant programs through the Public Transportation Division of NCDOT, as well as transit systems that serve the public throughout the state, visit www.ncdot.gov/nctransit. ***NCDOT*** PTD
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