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Rutherford County approves Tri City Express route changes after public hearing
Summary
The Board of Commissioners approved a multi-stop revision of the Tri City Express — a fare-free transit route serving Rutherfordton, Spindale and Forest City — following a public hearing in which transit staff described schedule and stop updates intended to improve access to jobs, courts and ICC classes.
The Rutherford County Board of Commissioners on Monday approved changes to the Tri City Express, the county's fare-free bus line connecting Rutherfordton, Spindale and Forest City, after a public hearing and a presentation from transit staff.
Transit presenter Carrie Giles told commissioners the revision would move some stops to the correct side of the road, add new pull-outs and shelters funded in part by a Raise grant shared with the towns of Rutherfordton and Spindale, and extend the route's hours so buses run from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. instead of the current roughly 7:45 a.m.–4:30 p.m. schedule. "Transit and this Tri City Express ... bridge the gap for a lot of our citizens between their challenges and what opportunities they can have," Giles said during the hearing.
The changes are intended to improve on-time access for people traveling to work, to classes at Isothermal Community College and to the courthouse. Giles said route changes will keep both loops to a 60-minute schedule so transfers at Walmart remain viable; they also reduce left-hand turns and aim to keep stops ADA compliant. New permanent stops include locations near Everest Textiles, Cole Street and Main Street, Oak Villa Apartments, Bay Salvage and a Dollar General on U.S. 221, while several existing stops will be relocated to safer sides of the road.
Residents who spoke during the public hearing urged adoption. "Adding the Dollar General stop would be great for the people living at Park Crossing," said Karen Federighi, a resident who described difficulty traveling without a vehicle. Transit officials said anyone riding the bus may request the driver stop at other locations along the route when it is safe; some deviations of up to a half-mile are possible.
Commissioners voted to approve the route adjustments after closing the public hearing. County staff indicated the changes are scheduled to start in March, pending final approval of signage by the North Carolina Department of Transportation and completion of transit literature updates.
The board heard no objections during the hearing and commissioners approved the recommended motion by voice/hand vote.
What happens next: Transit staff will coordinate DOT signage approvals, update public materials, and begin the adjusted service once final permitting is complete.
