CASPER, Wyo. — Over the next two weeks, Casper Area Transit will be installing approximately 66 new signs at bus stops along the Purple, Yellow and Red lines of its fixed-route service known as Link.
Link picks up and drops off passengers at a total of 125 stops in Casper, Mills, Evansville and Natrona County, Casper Community Development Director Liz Becher told the City Council on Tuesday. New signs will be installed along Blue, Orange and Green routes in early 2023.
The new signs were paid for using Federal Transit Administration 5307 operating grant dollars. Becher said the cost per sign worked out to about $75.
Installing new signs was one of the goals outlined in a 5-Year Transit Strategic Development Plan that was adopted in May 2021, Becher told the City Council. The signs show route colors and names, how long after the hour fixed-route buses typically arrive, and other information for riders.
Designs for the new signs were conducted by the Casper Area Transit and Casper Area Metropolitan Planning Organization teams, and members of Casper’s Council of People with Disabilities helped review the signs. The idea to solicit feedback from Casper’s Council of People with Disabilities was suggested by Councilmember Amber Pollock, Becher said.
There have been a few stop changes along fixed routes implemented earlier this year, Becher noted. A stop at the new State Office Building was added along the Red Route. New Purple Route stops were added at the new Cornerstone residential area in Mills and at the Dollar General in Mills. The west-side Walmart stop along the Yellow Route was moved away from propane tanks in front of the store at the recommendation of the Casper Fire-EMS Department, Walmart management and the propane contractor.
All maps have been updated to reflect the new stops, Becher added.
In addition to the new signs, Becher said Casper Area Transit is seeing interest from some organizations in the community in donating shelter infrastructure for some bus stops. The Rotary Club of Casper is planning to pay for two new shelters, she noted.
Casper Area Transit is also taking steps to ensure stops remain clear of ice this winter. Drivers have de-icer and the Municipal Court has been assigning snow shoveling on inclement days as a community service for young people, Becher said.
Councilmember Lisa Engebretsen asked why a fixed-route bus doesn’t stop at the Ford Wyoming Center or in the community of Bar Nunn.
In terms of the Ford Wyoming Center, Becher said ridership demand isn’t high enough unless an event is happening. If there is demand for a bus to run to the Ford Wyoming Center for an event, she said there is money in the budget for that.
In terms of Bar Nunn, Becher said the Town of Bar Nunn could choose to participate in the transit system provided it helps pay into the system as other communities do. There has been some talk of that historically.
Vice Mayor Bruce Knell asked whether Casper Area Transit has seen an increase or decrease in ridership in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. While a lot of people continued to rely on the bus during the pandemic, Becher said ridership numbers have increased in the pandemic’s wake, both on fixed-route and door-to-door services.
Engebretsen said she has been fielding some complaints about not feeling served by the door-to-door ASSIST service.
Becher said ASSIST attempts to operate about seven ASSIST buses per day out of its fleet of 12. The reason more of the fleet isn’t put into operation on a daily basis is because about seven buses is what Casper Area Transit can afford to operate, Becher said.
Knell said he thinks people should understand that Casper Area Transit is a public, not a private, transportation service. While there may be limitations to how much door-to-door service the system can afford to operate, he noted that the fixed-route system offers a variety of options for people.
A memo from Becher and Casper Area Transit staff discusses the new signage in more detail:
