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Bus proposal would link Warren County cities
Wednesday, July 02, 2008
FRANKLIN — A proposed new bus route would help shuttle Franklin and Carlisle residents to and from Lebanon.
If approved by the Ohio Department of Transportation and Warren County commissioners, the local route would loop through Franklin, Carlisle, Lebanon and Franklin Twp. The fixed route would run as a complement to the county's curbside service.
"This is something we've needed for a long time," said Bob Alexander, who headed the Franklin Study Group that pieced the proposed route together. He said he hopes to have the service running by fall.
The organization, a group of local residents looking for ways to improve the area, has been working on the proposal for a few months now. Members of the study group said this service will help local residents reach county agencies seated in Lebanon, such as Health and Family Services or other county offices.
"We often hear that our residents have a difficult time getting to Lebanon," said Franklin City Manager Jim Lukas.
The fixed bus route would begin at Second Street and Conover Drive and wind west before heading north along the river and then west into Carlisle, according to the proposal. From there, the buses will head south toward DuBois Road and then east back toward the river. The route cuts through downtown Franklin on its way to Lebanon via Ohio 123.
"It hits three of our most highly concentrated areas," said Carlisle Mayor Tim Humphries, who added he was "pleased" with the plan.
The complete route takes about 90 minutes, so buses would hit stops every two hours.
The trial run of the system will be paid by the Warren County commissioners if approved by ODOT and the county. The group has not settled on a price per ride but current costs to ride from Franklin to Lebanon are about $2 one way.
"It's a good pilot project," said Lukas, who also belongs to the Warren County Transportation Commission.
If the program succeeds, he said similar services might spread to other parts of the county.
Contact this reporter at (513) 705-2579 or jthompson@coxohio.com.
