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Rutherford County approves changes to Tri City Express bus route after public hearing
Summary
After a public hearing, the board approved modifications to the Tri City Express route, adding stops, shifting timing, and extending service hours; county transit officials said the changes aim to improve access to jobs, courts and classes and rely on federal funding.
Rutherford County commissioners on Feb. 3 approved proposed changes to the Tri City Express bus route after a public hearing and brief discussion.
Transit staff described the Tri City Express as a fare-free route serving Rutherfordton, Spindale and Forest City along a main economic corridor. Carrie Giles, speaking for the transit department, said the updated schedule would begin earlier and run later — moving from roughly 7:45 a.m.–4:30 p.m. to about 7 a.m.–5 p.m. The proposal also relocates several stops to the right side of the road for safety, adds stops near Everest Textiles and Dollar General on 221 South, and would move several current stops to locations with bus pullouts and shelters funded by a separate grant.
Giles told the board the route had grown from roughly 500 trips a month in 2016 to about 24,100 trips a month in the current fiscal year after prior service refinements and the decision to make the line fare-free. She said the recent changes were prompted by a route study, requests from local employers and institutions — including a request from Isothermal Community College to arrive before classes start — and new bus stop pullouts funded by a grant in Rutherfordton, Spindale and Forest City.
Public commenters supported the changes. Resident Karen Federighi said a new Dollar General stop would especially help older residents at Park Crossing Apartments who do not drive. Giles said the county would keep a system of “deviations” (up to a half mile when safe) so passengers can still be dropped at nearby locations if needed.
Commissioners voted to approve the route changes after the public hearing was closed. Giles said the county plans to implement the changes in March pending North Carolina Department of Transportation approval of signage, and that operations are funded primarily by federal dollars; she told the board transit does not use local general-fund operating money.
The board’s approval now allows transit staff to finalize materials and update schedules and stops on county websites and on-bus notices.
