Click to enlarge CHRIS JENNINGS / HERALD DEMOCRAT TAPS Executive Director Brad Underwood shows off the new style of bus the transit system will put into service.

BY KATHY WILLIAMS

HERALD DEMOCRAT

About $1 million in federal economic recovery act money will help Texoma Area Paratransit System purchase six new buses, a state of the art in-bus computer dispatch system, and "green" bus washing equipment.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced the grant Friday, which local transportation planners had moved to the top of their priority list of projects. In a special meeting in February, Sherman-Denison Metropolitan Planning Organization elevated the priority of widening F.M. 691 to four lanes at U.S. Highway 75 and these paratransit items so they could qualify for the economic stimulus funding.

Texoma Area Paratransit System Executive Director Brad Underwood, with management company First Transit, said the grant will allow the Texoma Area Paratransit System to buy two type 11 buses, each holding 32 passengers, and four type 3 buses, each holding 29 passengers.

All these buses and the existing ones will get facelifts, with new logos and vinyl decals. Although Underwood has all the supporting details in place to put all the new resources to use, he just learned Friday that the grant had been approved.

"We're so excited," Underwood said. "And we're ready to get our automation implemented. That's the biggest thing we're looking for right now. We're so thankful."

Other grants will help the Texoma Area Paratransit System put cameras in each bus and a local car dealership is donating DVD player televisions so the Texoma Area Paratransit System can raise additional revenue by placing commercials on them for riders to watch.

The computerized bus dispatch will help Texoma Area Paratransit System provide better service to its current customers. It also will allow Texoma Area Paratransit System to collect data to evaluate the need and success for new services, such as fixed routes. Currently, Underwood said, passengers have to call the day before. The new dispatch equipment will allow people to arrange for same day transportation.

The in-bus computers will allow bus drivers to be in constant contact with dispatchers and will allow dispatchers to be able to track the location and speed of all the buses in the system.

Texoma Area Paratransit System will soon begin the Roo Route, a pilot fixed-route program. The route begins near Austin College, which has a kangaroo mascot thus the name Roo, and is a joint venture between Texoma Area Paratransit System and the college. However, anyone can ride the bus, not just students. The pilot is to collect information on how well the service is used and what destinations along the route are most popular. It will loop from the college out to shopping centers and malls, the movies, grocery and book stores, Underwood said.

The data the computer collects in each bus will allow Texoma Area Paratransit System to determine the most efficient route to take for scheduled pick ups.

In addition to its rides by reservation, Texoma Area Paratransit System currently offers Tex Express buses to help commuters connect with DART trains at the Allen depot. There's also a Trail Blazer route that runs back and forth between Sherman and Bonham every day. Starting this week, a similar route will run from Sherman to Gainesville.

Underwood said that the new bus washing equipment uses the most environmentally friendly chemicals available and recycles water. The buses will be washed every day.

"Our oldest bus in the fleet will be a 2005 model and they will all have the fresh new, great look," Underwood said. "My goal is to create the most pleasurable riding experience possible for our passengers. That starts with a clean exterior, clean interior and a pleasant ride to your destination on time. That's what the new buses, the new decals, the new bush wash, the automation is all aimed at a pleasurable ride experience for our passengers."

The new decals will bear just one phone number for all services in every county in the coverage area: 800-256-0911.