By JOHN CHARLES WILSON
After three years of service cuts, the Phillips Community will finally get some of its bus service back. The following changes went into effect Saturday, August 19 2023:
The Orange Line now runs every 15 minutes instead of every 30 on weekdays until 8 PM, and on Saturdays from 9 AM to 6 PM. In addition, an extra trip in each direction has been added on weekday mornings.
The D Line times were adjusted to match traffic conditions and to maintain frequency.
Route 2 now runs every 10 minutes instead of every 15 between 11:30 AM and 7 PM on weekdays.
Route 9 now runs once every 30 minutes instead of once an hour on weekdays in the early morning and early evening, and all day on Saturdays.
Route 14 school day-only trips now run at times fitting the new school bell schedule.
Route 22 school day-only trips now run at times which fit the new school bell schedule.
Route 67 now runs every 30 minutes instead of every hour, every day of the week.
These changes should benefit transit users in the Phillips Community. And just a reminder: Metro Transit is still recovering from a driver shortage. If you or anyone you know wants to drive a bus or train, the application link is at metrotransit.org/drive. There is a hiring bonus of $5,000 if you already have a commercial driver’s license (CDL) with General Knowledge, Air Brakes, and Passenger endorsements, or $3,000 if you have a regular driver’s license. Half is paid on completing training and the other half on finishing a probationary period on the job. Wages start at $26.16 per hour. Great job for the right person!
John Charles Wilson is a transit enthusiast who has been interested in this field since the 1970s.
