By Clayta Richards / Sun managing editor
Public transportation has finally arrived in the Upper Cumberland. In Cumberland County, it's UCARTS' doorstep-to-destination and then destination-to-doorstep service. In all, the 14-county Upper Cumberland Development District received 75 new buses to be used for public transportation from the federal government's Stimulus Program; Cumberland County has eight of the buses. That was the news Rebecca Harris, UCHRA travel services director, delivered to a packed house on Sept. 17 to those attending the UCARTS seminar in Fairfield Glade. "People at TDOT would be very interested there is this kind of interest in the Upper Cumberland in public transportation," said Harris.
UCARTS has divided Cumberland County into four zones (blue, green, yellow and red), with each having different days of scheduled service. Service is from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Fairfield Glade is in the green zone, and its days of service are Mondays and Thursdays, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. It is suggested that you schedule your activities from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. In order to schedule a ride, just call 456-0691 at least 48 hours in advance of those days.
A ride to anywhere in Cumberland County is $1 and then another $1 to get back home. A good way to think of it is that it costs $1 each time you step onto the bus. If you have several stops to make, each return to the bus will cost $1. Cash works best, but so does a check. When the driver picks you up, you pay the driver.
And, actually, if you have a need for an emergency ride on other days of the week, call UCARTS (456-0691), and they might be able to accommodate you if they have a bus near your zone. These unscheduled rides may cost you $2.50 instead of just $1.
Another great option is the Crossville to Knoxville schedule. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, there are two buses a day, one at 6 a.m. (returns at noon) and another at 10 a.m. (returns at 4:30 p.m.), that depart from Crossville for Knoxville. Just call them (456-0691) the usual 48 hours in advance and tell them where to pick you up in Cumberland County and where you want to go to in Knoxville and when you want to be picked up there, and they'll take care of the driving. That round trip cost is $17. And, by the way, if you want to leave on the 6 a.m. bus and return on the 4:30 p.m. bus, that can be arranged. Meanwhile, you've not had to gain any more gray hair trying to deal with big-city driving.
UCARTS has applied for a daily routes to Knoxville from Crossville, but hasn't received the go-ahead yet. They are also working on a once daily five-days-a-week service to Chattanooga.
Now, here's more great news! UCARTS travels I-40 from Cookeville to Nashville Monday through Friday. You can catch the bus in Cumberland County and be transported to the UCARTS facility in Cookeville to catch the I-40 Express to Nashville to whatever address you specify. Buses leave the Cookeville facility (take Exit 287 off I-40 to 3313 Williams Enterprise Dr., Cookeville) at 6 a.m., 8 a.m. and noon. These buses are able to accommodate luggage, if you happen to be going to the airport. Airport delivery and pickup could be one of the most valuable services offered to area residents, as it frees the traveler from having to leave their car in airport parking lots, and passengers are picked up and dropped off at the terminal doors. Be sure to let UCARTS know your flight schedule when you make a reservation for airport service. That way, if your plane is late or there are other delays, they will be looking for you. "We will get you home," said Rebecca Harris. "You will not be left at the airport." The cost of the round trip to and from Nashville is $26, including the bus ride from Cumberland County. If you drive yourself to Cookeville and meet the van there, it's only $19 roundtrip to Nashville. Also, if an escort travels with you for medical purposes, the escort travels free.
Perhaps you're a little timid about all this public transportation and learning how to use it. They had you in mind when they created the "New Freedoms" program. This program provides a travel training assistant to travel with you and train you on your first trips while you get comfortable with the process.
There is also a service for low income workers who may need a ride to work. Just call UCARTS and see if you qualify should you need this service. The buses will accommodate service animals.
At least 65 percent of the UCARTS fleet is handicap and wheelchair accessible. When making a reservation, be sure to inform them of your need for accessibility.
Riders under 18 years of age must be accompanied by an adult.
For additional information, check out the Web site at www.uchra.com.
