County taking over bus service in Healdsburg

Transit Information Day will be held Friday, Aug. 1
Effective Monday, Aug. 11, Sonoma County Transit will provide transit services in the city. The new “Healdsburg Shuttle” will operate solely as a fixed-route and Sonoma County Para-transit services will be available for riders with limited mobility.  
This is the same service model SCT employs for local services throughout the county. The Healdsburg Shuttle will be a slightly larger bus than currently operated by the city and will feature a dropdown entry for increased rider safety as well as the newest technologies. The service will continue to operate Monday through Saturday. Minor changes are being made to the schedule to improve passenger safety and on-time service.
City staff is working closely with SCT to ensure a smooth transition.
“At the end of the day it will be as good or better service then (riders) have  been experiencing now,” said Assistant City Manager David Mickaelian. “We have been doing a good job based on our resources, but this will be a more efficient way of dealing with it.”
Sonoma County Transit was already providing administrative management of the funds the city received from the state and a county transportation tax measure. Sonoma County Transit will continue to manage the funds, and will manage the services as well.
A Transit Information Day will be held at the Senior Center on Friday Aug. 1 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. giving the community an opportunity to experience the new bus and get information on the route, schedule and fee/pass options.
Registration and certification to use the Sonoma County Para-transit service will also be offered at the Senior Center on Fridays, Aug. 1, Aug. 8 and Aug. 15 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. by appointment. To make an appointment, or for more information on the Para-transit services please call SCT at 585-7516 Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The new route schedules will be available Aug.1. Copies can be picked up on the bus, at the Senior Center, City Hall, and Community Center or online by visiting www.ci.healdsburg.ca.us or www.sctransit.com. For questions, call (707) 431-3301.
— Kerrie Lindecker