Riders's Perspective

Riders Express Views on Route Changes

Howard Transit customers are never shy about sharing their thoughts and concerns about the service and we are grateful for that. Way To Go! recently talked with several Howard Transit riders about the service changes to begin on April 2, 2007. We asked, "What is your primary use of Howard Transit." What will extended hours on weekdays and weekends and service to new destinations mean to you?" We also inquired about their thoughts regarding the new 30-minute frequency on some routes. Here’s what they had to say.

I’d like to see more service on the weekend as well as weekday. I don’t have a car so I rely on the bus to get to work and recreational activities. Reduced service on the weekend is a real problem. We live in a community full of diversity and cultural activities are often offered on weekends. More people might become involved if more public bus service is available. I see these changes as very positive. - Paula.

I’m retired and have been using Howard Transit for a year. I use it mostly to run errands. Service improvements are good if it means the system becomes a little more flexible. The idea of having to wait 30 minutes even if its limited to a few routes is better than waiting an hour. - John Kolbe.

I’ve been riding the bus for years. I use it to go to and from work in Hickory Ridge. These changes sound good to me, especially 30-minute frequency on some routes. We’ve never had that before. Will we ever go system-wide to a 30-minute frequency? - Kenny.

We’ve been advocating for more service at Parkview for quite sometime. The idea of leaving in the morning and not being able to get back until late in the afternoon just wasn’t working for us. Thanks to the public comment process and the fierce advocacy among residents, we now have more reasonable service. We are thrilled with the changes and look forward to taking the bus. For many of us, public transportation is our only option. Access to public transportation affords the opportunity to stay connected and informed. We can also shop, have lunch with friends, see movies etc. The possibilities are endless and that’s a very good thing! - Parkview at Snowden Residents.

More service and longer hours sound good to me. I’m a college student and always need extra money. However, if the bus service ends before Columbia Mall closes, employees that rely on public transportation are unable to get home. Are we scheduled to get more buses along with the new service improvements? - Michael Jenkins.

I don’t have a car so I rely on Howard Transit for all of my transportation needs. I’ve been using the service for approximately three years. Earlier and later hours and more service on the weekends offer greater opportunities for employment. I think we can all benefit from the new changes. - Claudine Mbong.