City of Bartlesville officials are clarifying a misunderstanding that the city-funded CityRide program, a demand-response transportation system that provides low-cost fares within the city limits, is ending. The successful program is in no danger of ending anytime soon, says Community Development Director Lisa Beeman.
“The CityRide program is not ending,” Beeman said. “Another local transportation program has reportedly ended due to a lack of funding. But CityRide, which has been in operation since it was implemented in 2002, has been a vital service to many citizens in our community. The City of Bartlesville will continue to offer this service, providing low-cost fares to citizens anywhere within the limits of Bartlesville.”
The confusion arose when it was recently announced that “CityRide Circuit,” a separate program that was started by the Washington County Wellness Initiative, would end its program on Dec. 18 due to a lack of funding. The WCTC-sponsored service, under the umbrella of the Washington County Health Department, began its flexible fixed-route system available to citizens for a 25-cent fare in January 2012.
“This service, CityRide Circuit, was wholly funded by donations and never received any funding from the City of Bartlesville,” Beeman said. “The CityRide Circuit is completely separate from the City of Bartlesville’s CityRide program.”
Beeman said CityRide is going strong and is even offering further reduced fares during Ridership Holiday Appreciation, which begins today (Dec. 21) and runs through Dec. 31.
For more information about CityRide and Ridership Holiday Appreciation, see www.cityofbartlesville.org/community-development/city-ride/