Bus Riders Speak Up

Roberta Schmiz of Brooksville said her lifeline to the community would be severed if county commissioners discontinue THE Bus, Hernando County's mass transit system.

"I'd be up the creek and everyone else would be, too," Schmiz said, reacting to county commissioners' action this week to refer the service's fate to two standing committees.

Schmiz, who lives behind Tom Varn Park, said she uses THE Bus at least three times a week to get to doctor offices and stores on the county's westside.

There are many seniors, handicapped people in communities throughout Hernando County who rely on THE Bus, she said. She said she's seen the vehicles packed, especially at the beginning of the month when people receive their food stamps or Social Security checks.

She's also seen young students ride the bus from Spring Hill to the Pasco-Hernando Community College outside of Brooksville.

Before THE Bus came into existence, Schmiz said she was forced to walk or rely on her daughter to drive her to places.

Every so often, commissioners make noises about ending the service and she is hoping this time is just another of those times.

"I'm not surprised," she said.

This latest attempt comes from Commissioner James Adkins when he told his colleagues Tuesday he wants an item placed on an upcoming agenda to find out how the county can legally shut down THE Bus.

Adkins calls it a drain on county revenue and said it doesn't serve enough people to make it worthwhile.

Regular bus patrons beg to differ.

Jay Turner, 63, had to stop driving when he suffered a stroke in 1997. Now, he walks with difficulty to the closest bus stop and takes it to doctors' offices and shops.

"THE Bus is the only way to get around," said Turner, who lives in Spring Hill.

In July, commissioners took steps to save the system by upping fares and reducing the subsidy to THE Bus by $200,000, or one-third.

In October, commissioners opted to save more money by switching the maintenance of the buses from Trans-Hernando to the fleet department.

Last June, county commissioners spent $20,000 on a ridership study, performed by Tampa-based Tindale-Oliver and Associates for $19,974. All but $1,600 of the money came from federal transit planning funds.

At the time, County Commissioner David Russell said the low ridership numbers from the survey showed the need to do away with the service, especially during this time of fiscal belt-tightening.

He said it would make more sense to continue operating only the para-transit service for the transportation disadvantaged.

Russell this week reiterated his concern about trying to justifying the service.

Since debuting in 2002, THE Bus has never made a profit.

But to the people who depend on mass transit, the numbers don't matter.

Janet Sneider, 80, said she intends to show up at the meeting when THE Bus is on the agenda.

"I need that bus," Sneider said.

She uses it every day and doesn't mind walking two-and-a-half blocks to catch the route.

Cabs, she said, are too expensive.

The alternative, she said, is being trapped at home watching soap operas. And she promised herself she would never resort to that.

"I really depend on that bus and it would be just so sad if I lost it," she said.