ESCANABA, Mich. (WZMQ) – In August, Delta County voters approved a millage to expand public transportation services. The first phase of that expansion began in October with earlier weekday rides; the second phase begins this weekend.
The Delta Area Transit Authority (DATA) will offer its first Saturday rides on November 14 from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday hours will be extended until 2 a.m. on November 28, and Friday evening hours will start the following week.
“We kind of wanted to start out a little bit slow, get our drivers used to it,” explained DATA Executive Director John Stapleton. “We already have about a dozen rides scheduled for people going to and from work, actually, so that’s really neat.”
As services continue to grow, DATA is awaiting the arrival of new vehicles, along with technology that will allow for new payment methods and ride reminders. The Authority is also working to add more team members, including a mechanic. Several new hires are currently being trained.
“We have some experienced drivers with some of our new ones, some of our experienced dispatchers with some of our new ones, so they’re learning,” Stapleton said. “Everybody’s excited that’s part of this. They’re really happy to be here and they’re energetic about it, so it’s a great time. Our riders are really excited about it as well, so we’re excited. We just don’t want to let people down.”
In addition, DATA will offer free rides on November 25 from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. The Wednesday before Thanksgiving is one of the business days of the year for bars, so the Authority encourages patrons to schedule a safe ride home.
To learn more about scheduling a ride or applying for a job with the Delta Area Transit Authority, visit databus.org.
