T’bonne’s westside expansion progresses for traffic
October 11, 2011Robert Paul Bourg
October 13, 2011
The City of Thibodaux unveiled its first public transportation system Monday, and through a partnership with Terrebonne Parish Consolidated Government, made cheap transportation a reality for the municipality’s 14,500 residents.
The Terrebonne Parish Good Earth Transit System previously made stops on the campus of Nicholls State University and at Thibodaux Regional Medical Center. Now, the transit system has incorporated 43 stops in the municipality.
“It’s a huge benefit to the community in that there are a great deal of residents who may only be a one- or zero-vehicle household,” said Ryan Perque, administrative assistant to the Thibodaux mayor. “It can be helpful to those individuals not only running basic errands, but also getting to and from work.”
Good Earth made available two 14-passenger buses to cover the ground in the new system, but they will work in shifts instead of concurrently, Perque said.
The City of Thibodaux will pay the operating expenses for the new routes, with a Federal Transit Administration grant and bus fares dedicated to offsetting the costs. Thibodaux budgeted $100,000 for 2012 costs, Perque said.
The administrative assistant added that the city isn’t sure of the exact costs and can’t yet project fare receipts, but the allotment should more than cover the expenses.
A bus rider must pay a $1 fare, which is due when the rider boards. People who plan to ride the bus at least three times in one day can purchase a day pass for $2.50, and the day passes are also available in bulk at $11 for five passes or $21 for 10 passes, according to Good Earth.
Children less than 4 years old ride for free. People who are 65 years old or older, Medicare recipients and people with qualifying disabilities can receive half-price fares by showing proper identification when boarding the bus, according to Good Earth.
Disabled persons who cannot access the bus on its regular route can learn about applying for paratransit services by calling Good Earth Transit at (985) 850-4616.
The bus is wheelchair accessible and is equipped with a bike rack. Use of the bike rack is free, but users must first attend a training class. The classes are scheduled at 1 p.m. for the first Wednesday of every month at the Good Earth terminal in Houma.
The Thibodaux system runs Monday through Friday. The first stop will be made each morning at 5:50 on Madewood Drive in front of Gouaux Hall on the Nicholls State University campus.
The Gouaux Hall stop will also serve as the transfer stop for those riding a bus to Houma, with an immediate transfer offered at the following times: 7:10 a.m., 8:30 a.m., 12:45 p.m., 3 p.m. and 5:15 p.m.
The Houma-bound bus will also make stops at the location at 9:37 a.m., 10:40 a.m., 11:41 a.m., 1:55 p.m. and 4:05 p.m., but the Thibodaux bus will not be at the location for an immediate transfer.
A Terrebonne Parish Good Earth Transit System bus idles outside of Gouaux Hall on the Nicholls State University Campus. ERIC BESSON
