Service to offer free rides throughout the month of May

Public transit agencies across the United States continue to struggle with the effects of the pandemic. These struggles include a decline in ridership, a lack of qualified drivers and shortages in vehicles and equipment.

Though the Kingsport Area Transit System has continued to offer reliable and efficient transportation for residents throughout the pandemic, the system is not immune to these nationwide challenges.

As a result, beginning May 1, KATS will be adjusting to a new bus route schedule, going from five bus routes to four. No changes are being made to KATS’ Dial-A-Ride ADA/65/Job Assist programs.

For the entire month of May, KATS will be offering free rides for bus passengers so riders and drivers will have the time and patience to familiarize themselves with the new routes.

“The challenges we’re facing are not unique to Kingsport. Public transit agencies across the nation are all facing the same issues,” said Chris Campbell, public transportation manager for the City of Kingsport. “Our hope and goal will be to add additional bus routes when driver and equipment shortages have improved in the future.”

Currently, KATS has five bus routes with 253 stops where 23,600 residents live within ¾ of a mile to a stop. Under the new bus route schedule, KATS will have 208 stops where 24,200 residents live within ¾ of a mile to a stop.

“Even though we will be dropping about 45 bus stops, nearly all coverage will remain intact,” said Timothy Land, transit planner for the City of Kingsport. “Today, roughly 44% of Kingsport residents live within ¾ of a mile of a bus stop and this will remain true after the switch.”

According to KATS, 90% of surveyed transit agencies across the United States reported having to reduce service levels because of the pandemic.

KATS internal software program allows ridership data to be collected and utilized on a continual basis. As variables change with the times, studying transit trends and collecting ridership data is vital to continuing to offer an outstanding service to Kingsport residents.

“Since KATS offers both a fixed route bus service and on demand programs, it is important that decisions made are equally beneficial to the continued quality of all services,” Campbell added. “Eliminating this fifth route will help improve availability on the Dial A Ride van service.”

KATS conducted a customer survey March 13-17 to collect valuable input from the community regarding the bus service as a whole and potential changes. A public meeting was then held at KATS on April 11 to discuss operational issues, and the proposed redesign to address them. Attendees offered excellent questions and seemed to agree that the new proposed route design would still meet their needs.

For information about the new bus routes, please visit www.kingsporttransit.org, the Ride Systems app, or call 423-224-2613.

The City of Kingsport will hold a project preview for its new pump track at 4 p.m. on April 25 at the Brickyard Complex.

City officials, members of the Board of Mayor and Aldermen and biking enthusiasts are all expected to be on hand for this event. Members of the media are encouraged to attend to get the latest information about this exciting project.

Last fall, city leaders awarded a $1.3 million bid to GRC Construction to build a pump track adjacent to the Scott Adams Memorial Skate Park. The new addition is expected to open later this year.

A pump track is a type of course that allows a biker or skater to move along a track without pedaling or putting their feet on the ground. Users pump their knees up and down, following the contours of the track to move forward. Pump tracks are typically safer for bikers and skaters because there’s less pedaling or pounding of feet against the ground.

The project also calls for an addition to the paver plaza, additional seating at the skate park, a central plaza area, three shade structures, additional parking, Musco lighting and an asphalt pump track.

For more information about Kingsport’s parks, visit www.kingsportparksandrecreation.org.