StarMetro News
StarMetro and Second Harvest Call on You
to Stuff-The-Bus!
This Friday, Nov. 20, StarMetro will hold the eighth annual Stuff-The-Bus food drive from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Winn-Dixie shopping center, located at Park Avenue and Magnolia Street. This event challenges citizens to donate canned and non-perishable food items to 'stuff-the-bus' for America's Second Harvest of the Big Bend. The Second Harvest Food Bank will then dispense the food donations to needy families in the Big Bend area for the upcoming holiday season.
"This year, more than ever before, we need the support of the community to help Stuff-The-Bus," said Cheryl Phoenix, director of the Second Harvest Food Bank. "The number of people coming to the food pantries in our area has skyrocketed, and we want to make sure everyone has food for the holiday season."
Citizens may also drop off food donations at any Farmers and Merchants Bank between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. on Friday, as well.
"We strive to support the community in any and every way we possibly can," said Ron Garrison, director of StarMetro. "Last year, we collected nearly 1,100 pounds of food that valued over $1,600. This year, we hope to take in more pounds of food than ever before."
StarMetro Participates in White Cane Day Event
On October 15, StarMetro's Executive Director, Ron Garrison, and the StarMetro Planning Staff participated in White Cane Day, presented by the Tallahassee Lions Club and the Tallahassee Council of the Blind. In order to better understand how visually impaired persons will navigate the new, proposed decentralized route system, Director Garrison and Planning Staff dawned blindfolds and white canes to cross the intersection of Capital Circle NE and Mahan Drive. "It was a humbling experience," said Garrison. "We will continue to work with the blind community to ensure that those persons can navigate the proposed system safely.
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StarMetro Route Changes Effective August 1
Eight Routes Revised and Two New Routes Added - StarMetro, the City of Tallahassee's mass transit system, will change several routes effective Saturday, August 1. These include the addition of two new routes and revisions to eight existing routes. The changes also include the elimination of four routes, but by consolidating the overall system, passengers will be accommodated through use of the new or existing routes.
"With these service improvements, our patrons will experience increased efficiency and on-time performance, while also reaching new customers," said Ronald Garrison, StarMetro Executive Director.
Specific details on the route changes effective August 1 are available on the City's website at Talgov.com/StarMetro. A general summary of the changes follows:
- Route 1 - revised to cover portions of discontinued route 9; revised route will include segment from Portland Ave. at Old Bainbridge Rd. to High Rd. at W. Tharpe St.
- Route 3 - to be discontinued, but coinciding with new routes 53 and 54 that will provide improved service to Tallahassee Community College students and new service to the Ghazvini Learning Center and other offices along Blountstown Highway.
- Route 9 - to be discontinued (see route 1 information).
- Route 10 - to be discontinued, but coinciding with route 18 that will provide more direct service along Mahan Dr. and Capital Circle N.E.
- Route 12 - extends service on Mahan Dr. to Weems Rd., to provide new park-and-ride options for Buck Lake and Fallschase area residents.
- Route 18 - revised (see route 10 information), and will now operate Monday-Saturday.
- Route 20 - revised to serve the High Magnetic Laboratory and adjacent offices in the Innovation Park complex; also adds an additional stop for Florida State University's Alumni Village.
- Route 21 - revised to include service to W. Tennessee St., Capital Circle N.W. and Commonwealth Blvd. Discontinued service along Blountstown Highway and Mission Rd. to be absorbed by new routes 53 and 54.
- Route 25 - revised from an hourly route to service every half-hour, including service to Governor's Square.
- Route 26 - revised to add service along Paul Russell Rd., Orange Ave., Blair Stone Rd. and Old St. Augustine Rd.; will also discontinue service to Governor's Square and Winewood Complex.
- Route 28 - revised to cover portions of discontinued route 35; will run along W. Pensacola St., Appleyard Dr., Jackson Bluff Rd. and Ausley Rd.
- Route 35 - to be discontinued (see route 28 information).
- Route 53 - new route (see route 3 information)
- Route 54 - new route (see route 3 information)
For complete information on the StarMetro's routes as of August 1, please download the new Rideguide. For more information, please contact StarMetro at 891-5200.
Reload, Save Dough!
StarMetro reduces monthly fare and implements $3 service charge - Beginning Monday, April 13, StarMetro will implement new changes to its fare structure. Along with reducing the monthly fare from $41.25 to $38, StarMetro will also implement a new $3 service charge towards the purchase of all new reloadable fare cards.
This fare decrease will make the monthly fare more competitive by shifting commuters to a more efficient media. The decrease could also lead to better on-time performance, less wait time at the C.K. Steele Plaza booth and increased ridership.
In addition to the fare reduction, StarMetro will implement a new $3 service charge towards the purchase of all new reloadable fare cards.
During FY 2008, StarMetro spent nearly $40,000 on the purchase and printing of new reloadable fare cards. These reloadable fare cards carried StarMetro fares: 7-day unlimited, 7-day reduced (disabled, youth and elderly) and monthly.
By implementing the new service charge, StarMetro hopes to steer riders toward reloading fare cards versus disposing the fare cards, which will conserve resources and provide a dedicated funding source to the purchase and printing of new fare cards. Those riders currently carrying and reloading their fare cards will not pay the $3 service charge, which applies only to new, first-time purchases of the reloadable fare cards.
With the fare changes, StarMetro will now offer non-reloadable, magstripe fare cards exclusively for regular one-trip, reduced one-trip, one day unlimited, 7-day unlimited and 7-day reduced fares - only reloadable fare cards will carry the monthly fare.
This fare reduction and preference to reloading fare cards will lead the way to making StarMetro's fare media system more customer friendly.
For more information, please contact StarMetro at 891-5200