Cooper City is losing its Community Bus on July 8 due to lack of riders

Broward County Transit informed our City Administrators that we did not have enough riders per hour so the contract will be cancelled and Service stopped on July 8.

The contract called for 7.1 riders per hour but we only had 6.9 riders.  Cause for cancellation. 

Mr. Ed Wooley and Gladys Wilson met with Ken Richardson, Parks and Recreation Director, and City Manager Bruce Loucks last Thursday, June 24.

We had a very cordial meeting and I feel we all learned a bit from each other. 

The Broward County Transit has offered the use of the Bus for $10.00 per year rental.  The City would have to provide maintenance and, of course, gas, to operate it as well as the drivers.  One full time and one half time employees will lose their jobs if we lose the Community Bus.  They need their jobs!

Mr. Loucks said it would cost the City $105,000 to $110,000 to operate the bus per year.  Since the City is currently providing  the drivers, the salary  for drivers is $66,000.  So, that amount is already in our budget.

The additional cost to the City of  operating  the bus would be $39,000 to $44,000.  Surely the City could find that amount in the Budget to provide this service to the taxpayers of this City.

The Community Bus runs a specific route throughout the City at specific times.  Ending at the City Hall/Community Center.

Although the number of riders did not satisfy Broward Transit, if the City operated the Bus, a more rider/friendly schedule could be devised and we could pick up more riders.

Yes, the Elders do ride the Bus as well as those who are impaired or do not drive.  The students ride it around in the summer time and go to the pool.  During the school year about 20 students ride the Bus after high school each day to their destinations.  One gentleman, who is sight impaired, rides the Bus to pick up his child from school.

Our Cooper City population is aging.  There are fewer school children and more of the aging Baby Boomers and others so this Bus is needed and,  riders would increase  with proper routing, scheduling and advertising.

Write, call, e mail your Mayor and Commissioners to encourage them to find that $39,000 to $44,000 so this Community Bus can continue to operate in Cooper City.

Call:  954-434-4300. Ext. 260 to leave a message.
e mail:  CarolA@coopercityfl.org     Indicate to whom you want her to give the message because she works for the Mayor and Commissioners.

Let your voice be heard,  we want to keep  our Community Bus.