DATA to implement extended hours in Delta County
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ESCANABA -- Delta County residents will soon have more opportunities to ride the Delta Area Transit Authority (DATA).
Beginning Saturday, DATA will offer Saturday daytime service throughout Delta County from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
During these hours, residents can schedule rides to get to work, shop, visit family and friends, attend appointments and more.
The expanded hours were made possible by DATA's county-wide millage proposal passage in August. Owners of taxable property throughout Delta County now pay .689 mills for a period of eight years.
The proposal received 6,449 “yes” votes (65.18%) and 3,445 “no” votes (34.8%).
Since then, DATA implemented one countywide fare structure, meaning Delta County residents now pay the same fare regardless of where they live within the county.
To further support their expansion efforts, DATA is awaiting the arrival of 15 new vehicles. Additionally, DATA has hired nine new drivers and five new dispatchers. Continued training, staffing and on-boarding will take place over the next six months.
"Much of the work since August has involved making sure we have the staffing, training, scheduling, dispatch coverage, vehicles and other operational pieces in place to expand responsibly," said Amy Fudala, DATA mobility manager. "Rather than implementing everything at once, we are rolling the additional service out in phases so we can make sure we are prepared to provide reliable service as the hours expand."
Looking to the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday, on Wednesday, Nov. 25, DATA will operate its regular service from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. followed by free rides from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. as the organization introduces their new evening service.
On Saturday, Nov. 28, extended weekend and evening service officially begins. Saturday service will operate from 7 a.m. to 2 a.m., with evening service from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m.
Beginning Friday, Dec. 4, Friday service will operate from 6 a.m. to 2 a.m. with evening service also from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m.
Once the rollout is finally complete, DATA’s regular service hours will be Monday through Thursday from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Friday from 6 a.m. to 2 a.m.; and Saturday from 7 a.m. to 2 a.m. The new Friday and Saturday evening service will operate from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m.
To schedule a ride with DATA, Delta County residents can call 906-786-1186.
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Sophie Vogelmann can be reached at 906-786-2021 or svogelmann@dailypress.net.