Public Transportation in Harrisonburg
I walked to Sheetz today for an MTO sandwich, and, to eat it, joined a woman sitting at the table outside. She asked if I had a car. “I have one, but it’s not here. My friend borrowed it and it’s downtown,” I said. She needed a ride 6 miles East on Route 33 or across town to some other place in Harrisonburg. She had little money, didn’t own a car, and was looking to leave a nearby situation she deemed unsafe. “Where’s the bus stop?” I asked. “No buses run on Sunday,” she said. I was stunned. After she had no luck reaching someone with my cell phone, I told her to wait for me to get my car. She wasn’t physically well enough to make the walk with me, so off I trekked to downtown.
Near the Elizabeth Street parking garage, I acknowledged a guy who then quickly asked if I could spare a couple dollars. I asked what he needed. He said he wanted to get to Elkton. Well, a couple dollars won’t make that happen, so I told him to come with me since I just happened to be planning to drive a woman halfway there anyway.
Back at Sheetz (with the car), we climb in and start heading towards Elkton. I ask what their public transport options are between Elkton and Harrisonburg. The man was only aware of one bus that loops to Staunton, EMU, and JMU. They also pointed out what they felt were impractical distances between bus stops, that stops aren’t covered to protect passengers from rain or extreme sun, and that some stop were at locations without crosswalks. I dropped them off where they needed to go, having enjoyed the conversation, and I began reflecting on what I just witnessed.
Do we really offer no public transportation on Sunday? Sure enough. Each of the five routes currently operating stop by 6 or 7pm Monday-Saturday, and none operate on Sunday. This is a summer-only schedule (read: when students aren’t here). I understand the needs for efficiency and operating with limited resources, and, from the Citizen’s Academy, am aware that the transportation staff does their very best to provide quality and timely service. However, I cannot accept that there is no publically available transportation on Sundays in town (the Elkton-Harrisonburg connection is a different subject altogether).
With gas prices increasing so dramatically, I believe there is opportunity - and obligation - to revisit the bus routes as more people are apt to take advantage of affordable public transportation if it’s practical and routinely available. We need to encourage ridership to reduce stress on the roads. I have advocated for this in terms of reducing emissions and improving air quality, however the impact on safety, employment, and just general pportunity were emphasized to me in this hour and a half experience. We have an obligation to provide affordable transportation within the city for those who cannot afford a car. When biking and walking is not practical, we need people off the roads in cars and on the roads in buses.
