Lafayette city buses could soon help rural residents get to town and back more easily and more affordably than by driving. Lafayette Consolidated Government has two new buses and next week will vote whether to use them for a regional transport system.
The proposal is for a pilot program that would bring the Lafayette Transit System to other parts of Acadiana, starting with Acadia and western Lafayette Parish.
"The route that we’re looking at would primarily focus on U.S. 90, so the stops would include Crowley, Rayne, Duson and Scott," says Deidra Druilhet with Acadiana Planning Commission.
The buses would make four trips in the morning and four in the afternoon, bringing riders to SLCC, UL and Lafayette General Medical Center with the possibility of connecting riders to other bus routes within the city.
You’re looking at $5 for a two-ride service and twelve rides for $20," says Druilhet.
A USDA grant would fund the project for the first six months. If the routes become more popular, the planning commission says it could implement more in other parishes down the road.
"An overall goal that we’re looking at is creating an opportunity for regional transit that would serve not only Acadia Parish, but St. Martin Parish, St. Landry Parish, Iberia Parish, things of those natures. We want to look at the capability of connecting all of the Acadiana parishes," says Druilhet.
The ordinance will be up for final adoption at the July 10th Lafayette Consolidated Government meeting. The buses would start running in mid-August.
