NCTD to Hold Forum About Bus Service Changes in Ramona

In another sign of the lagging economy, North County Transit District is proposing to eliminate some of its Route 386 bus service between Escondido and Ramona and replace it with what is called "flexible service," which is curbside transportation by reservation. A public hearing will be held in Ramona on Tuesday so residents can air their opinions and ask questions.

"There would be two scheduled trips in the morning and two in the evening for commuters," according to NCTD spokeswoman Melba Novoa. "The rest of the time, the route would be replaced by flexible service. The ridership in that route is extremely low but providing the service is the costliest in our system. Like many other government agencies and businesses, we are trying to be as efficient with our resources as possible."

The public is invited to weigh in on the changes at a hearing from 3:30 to 5 p.m. Tuesday at Ramona Community Center, 434 Aqua Lane, in the multi-purpose room.

One person who uses the bus to go up and down the hill, Keith DeVaney, 48, told Ramona Patch recently that he's very concerned about the cutback in service. DeVaney said he works in Escondido and is a graduate of In His Steps, a recovery organization in Ramona. He offered the information as he sat on the steps of one of the organization's buildings recently visiting with other people in recovery.

"I use that bus all the time," he said. "People need to know what's happening. I'm really worried I won't be able to get up and down the hill when I need to."

In the flexible service, people would be able to pick up the phone 30 minutes before they need to depart Ramona and be picked up at their home and taken anywhere within the Flex service area, Novoa stated by email to Ramona Patch. To see the service area, click here and go to page 81 of the NCTD brochure on the proposed changes.

"A lot more people would gain access to some means of affordable public transportation in the form of cab service," she wrote. "Right now, only people living along the Route 386 have public transit. This expands our service area considerably."

The Flex vehicle is ADA accessible, according to the NCTD brochure.

The NCTD board of directors will make a final decision on this and other route changes at its meeting on May 19. The district offices may be reached at 760-966-6500.