Key West Transit is planning changes to its bus service, including the introduction of a new fixed-route system called the Island Hopper.
Rogelio Hernandez, director of transportation for Key West Transit, joined Good Morning Keys on Keys Talk 96.9/102.5FM this morning to talk about what’s going on with traffic.
Public meetings to learn about the changes and provide feedback about the Island Hopper are coming up.
The first meeting is scheduled for November 4 from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at the Senior Center on Kennedy Drive. The second will take place November 10 at the Frederick Douglass Community Center, also from 5 to 6:30 p.m. The third meeting is scheduled for November 19 at Bernstein Park on Stock Island, from 5 to 6:30 p.m.
“I would like to invite everyone listening to attend our upcoming meetings, where we’ll be discussing transit service changes that are upcoming,” Hernandez said.
The meetings will focus on several changes, including the elimination of the Key West Rides on-demand service and the Workforce fixed route, along with implementation of the new Island Hopper fixed-route service.
The Island Hopper is being designed to provide convenient and reliable transportation throughout Key West and Stock Island.
Hernandez encouraged residents to attend the meetings, learn more about the proposed changes and share their thoughts.
Key West Transit is also planning a promotional period to introduce the new service. An item on this week’s City Commission agenda would authorize one week of fare-free rides on the Island Hopper from November 30 through December 6.
“We’re hoping that this will promote the new service and support the mobility during the holiday season,” Hernandez said.
In other news, Key West Transit will suspend bus service on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day, continuing its longstanding practice of giving bus operators those holidays off to spend with family and friends.
“It’s a long-standing tradition,” Hernandez said. “It allows the bus operators the opportunity to spend those three days with their family, friends, loved ones, and I appreciate the riders’ understanding.”
He encouraged passengers to plan their travel accordingly and make alternate transportation arrangements for those three days.
Transit officials are also looking ahead to New Year’s Eve, when the agency expects to provide another Safe Ride service. Key West Transit recently provided a similar service during Fantasy Fest, recording more than 600 passenger trips.
Hernandez said the effort was successful and helped reduce the number of vehicles on the road.
“We did our job, and we’re excited to do it again on New Year’s Eve,” he said.
Passengers can track buses in real time and access schedule information through the Passio GO mobile app. Additional information is available at KWTransit.com or by calling 305-809-3910.