SCAT service changes
Here are list of Springfield City Area Transit service route changes, approved earlier this week. The changes will go into effect on May 31:
Yellow Line (previously Bechtle Ave): Service on this route will begin at 7:10 a.m., instead of 10:10 a.m., to absorb the Western Loop route.
Green Line (formerly Southwest loop): Service on this route will be reduced from twice per hour to once per hour.
Purple Line (formerly Upper Valley Mall): Service on the route will begin at 7:40 a.m., instead of 9:40 a.m., to absorb the First Street route. Additionally, the route will now serve Splash Zone (seasonally, upon request), which is currently served via the Villa Road route.
Orange Line (formerly Home Road and Villa Road): The route will be a combination of the Home Road route and the Villa Road route. The combined route would allow SCAT to reach an area further north on North Limestone Street not currently being served.
Pink Line (formerly Eastern Loop): Service on this route will be adjusted to provide service in areas no longer served by the Villa Road route, including Job & Family Services and Ronez Manor. Also, this route will serve Belmont Ave. rather than Burnett Rd.
Blue Line (formerly Lexington Ave): The route will operate every hour to absorb the Lexington Ave 30-minute route. Prime Ohio will be served every hour instead of only being served upon request, while Prime Ohio II will be added as an option that is available upon request in the future.
Red Line (formerly Southern Village and Clark State): This route will be a combination of the Southern Village route and the Clark State route,increasing frequency in the Southern Village area from once per hour to twice per hour.
New Hours: SCAT service will be extended by one additional hour each day. All routes currently return to Market Square at either 5:05 p.m. or 5:35 p.m.The end times will now be 6:05 p.m. or 6:35 p.m.
Source: City of Springfield
SCAT service changes
Here are list of Springfield City Area Transit service route changes, approved earlier this week. The changes will go into effect on May 31:
Yellow Line (previously Bechtle Ave): Service on this route will begin at 7:10 a.m., instead of 10:10 a.m., to absorb the Western Loop route.
Green Line (formerly Southwest loop): Service on this route will be reduced from twice per hour to once per hour.
Purple Line (formerly Upper Valley Mall): Service on the route will begin at 7:40 a.m., instead of 9:40 a.m., to absorb the First Street route. Additionally, the route will now serve Splash Zone (seasonally, upon request), which is currently served via the Villa Road route.
Orange Line (formerly Home Road and Villa Road): The route will be a combination of the Home Road route and the Villa Road route. The combined route would allow SCAT to reach an area further north on North Limestone Street not currently being served.
Pink Line (formerly Eastern Loop): Service on this route will be adjusted to provide service in areas no longer served by the Villa Road route, including Job & Family Services and Ronez Manor. Also, this route will serve Belmont Ave. rather than Burnett Rd.
Blue Line (formerly Lexington Ave): The route will operate every hour to absorb the Lexington Ave 30-minute route. Prime Ohio will be served every hour instead of only being served upon request, while Prime Ohio II will be added as an option that is available upon request in the future.
Red Line (formerly Southern Village and Clark State): This route will be a combination of the Southern Village route and the Clark State route,increasing frequency in the Southern Village area from once per hour to twice per hour.
New Hours: SCAT service will be extended by one additional hour each day. All routes currently return to Market Square at either 5:05 p.m. or 5:35 p.m.The end times will now be 6:05 p.m. or 6:35 p.m.
Source: City of Springfield
The Springfield City Area Transit service will see increased fares and new routes later this year for the first time in over 30 years.
City Commissioners unanimously approved changes to the bus service at Tuesday’s meeting, including increased fares, new routes and longer hours. The changes will go into effect on May 31.
The fares – which hadn’t been increased since 1984 – will increase from $.75 to $1. The new fare structure will also eliminate transfers, meaning it will cost an additional fare to change routes.
The SCAT service changes will also update routes and extend hours for riders. The bus currently operates 11 fixed routes from 6:40 a.m. to 5:40 p.m. Monday through Friday. Beginning in May, the service will operate seven routes with some that would run through 6:35 p.m.
The new routes combine some of the old ones, and would add areas that buses didn’t reach before, like parts of North Limestone Street. Routes to Prime Ohio Corporate Park would run every hour instead of by request only. Other routes would makes stops twice per hour at places that now only have one stop per hour, according to the new plan.
The city gave careful consideration to fee increases, said Springfield finance director Mark Beckdahl, and allowed for comments on the proposed changes at public meetings in January.
“We really got no negative feedback,” Beckdahl said.
The extension of the hours and route changes will be positive, including allowing individuals to ride to work or school at several prominent locations, including Prime Ohio I, he said.
“Someone will be able to get down to the Market Square bus center and get home,” Beckdahl said. “I think that’s key.”
Sonia Troxell, 77, of Springfield, uses the bus service about three times per week, she said.
“I think as long as we keep having the bus service, it’s reasonable enough for me,” Troxell said. “I couldn’t go anywhere if I didn’t have the bus.”
She said she’ll be able to handle the .15-cent per ride increase coming for seniors.
“Without the bus service, I’d be in a bad place,” Troxell said.
Charles Sells, 48, of Springfield, rides the bus every day. With the new routes and extended hours, Sells will have the capability to go more places, he said.
“It’ll be a little more convenient instead of everything shutting off at 5:30,” Sells said.
Sells hopes to see weekend hours in the future, he said.
“It would be nice to be able to go shopping and other places,” Sells said.
SCAT bus driver Rocky Harrison said the fare changes are needed, but without transfers included as part of the ticket, it’s going to cost double for patrons to change routes.
“They haven’t (increased) it in so long,” said Harrison, who has worked in Springfield for about three years. “It is what it is. I wish they’d bring back the transfers.”
About the Author