Quail Bus In Trouble
Where'd they come up with that name?
Kind of a neat little service that I don't believe I'd heard about before. Did somebody mention it a while ago when we were discussing medical transportation in Humboldt?
This Quail bus drives seniors from Southern Humboldt to Fortuna and Eureka. Apparently the ridership is too low and the powers- that- be are considering giving it the axe [again].
Hard to believe you couldn't fill a bus that size for a trip north from the Garberville area. There was an article in yesterday's Times- Standard Business(?) section (can't find it online) about Humboldt's medical transportation companies going under, partly because of the price of gas. Could some of the current meditrans users switch to the Quail line?
There should be more than enough people around SoHum to fill up the Quail bus.
posted by Fred Mangels @ 8:13 AM
8 comments
8 Comments:
It's for seniors only if I'm not mistaken, therefore alot of the people who would ride it can't.
Well, my point is, if it's not working for the "seniors", why not bring some others into it to share the cost?
Anyone can use it, low income seniors are subsidized. People don't use it because most already have a car and the small incremental cost of gas for the trip and inconvenience isn't worth taking public transport. Those who can't drive are the only possible users, and many of those have friends/relatives who can take them.
I think the old people should stay off public transit. Stay in your homes and wait for the reaper.
Everyone is waiting for the reaper, but most have to get to work while we wait. Waiting around your home isn't such a bad life, beats working a dangerous or stressful job that brings the reaper much closer. But being poor and waiting at home isn't so good, has nothing to do with age.
Saw Nick Bravo renting "dead like me" from figuredos. Methinks he's a reaper.
Only seniors and disabled can use it. There was a bus for the public almost ten years ago, but that was nixed due to lower ridership, and lot's of stops making for a long trip. Of course, gas was $1.33 back then. Seems like a bus in the style of the Willow Creek and Crescent City Buses (just enough direct service to get some folks into town for work) could serve a lot of people, and the quail could feed from disabled folks homes to that service.
The Quail Van, connecting Southern Humboldt to itself as well as to Fortuna and Eureka, is open now to the general public. While it began as para-transit (local door-to-door van transportation) for people with disabilties and for seniors, all people may now purchase rides. The Quail is grassroots in action. The driver Jan Riber is the backbone of the service. A local advocate to contact in support of the Quail is Linda Sutton 923-2574. People who do not have access to private transportation only have the Quail.
Ride now. Ride often. Put your money where your mouth is: public transportation.
Below is an excerpt from the Quail website: http://my.starstreamcable.com/HealySC/Quail%20Bus.htm
The Quail mini-bus provides transportation for seniors and disabled under the uspices of the Humboldt Transportation Authority. The service area covers Weott to the Southern Humboldt County Line. First time riders should call 707-943-3000. Reservations are required a day ahead and may be made by calling the Senior Center 707-923-2399. Our driver is Jan Riber.
Regular Quail Schedule:
Service to Eureka 1st & 3rd Tuesdays of the month ($6 round trip)
Service to Fortuna 2nd & 4th Tuesdays of the month ($5 round trip)
Service to the Senior Center for lunch every Monday, Wednesday and Thursday ($1.75 round trip)
Shopping in Garberville and Redway, every Friday ($1.75 round trip)
The Quail is owned and operated by the Humboldt Transit Authority
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