COME CELEBRATE WITH US ON JULY 28TH
Greene CATS Public Transit invites you to come celebrate with us as we commemorate the past fifteen years of transit service that has been provided in Greene County. Join us in watching a short video highlighting our history. The video will take a stroll down memory lane with interviews from founding members to the riders who use our service today. You also will be among the first to learn about the redesigned Flex Routes as we add evening and weekend service this fall. The festivities will be held at the Greene County Service Center in the Media Room, 571 Ledbetter Rd. in Xenia on Thursday, July 28th from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm. The celebration is open to the public and light refreshments will be served. Click here to RSVP. Hope to see you there! |
QUOTE: “It is remarkable that Greene County has been able to build a public transportation service that brings local government and private non-profit agencies together in a collaborative effort and provides 180,000 one way trips annually to those individuals in our communities who need safe, reliable, and accessible transportation.”
~ Ken Collier, Executive Director
Spotlight: Celebrating 15 years of Service
Greene County Transit Board
The Greene County Transit Board is made up of seven members who volunteer their time to serve on the board. They are appointed by the Greene County Commissioners and are the direct applicant of Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) urban transit funding for Greene County. The Greene County Transit Board was formed in November 2003 in order for Greene CATS to continue receiving federal transit dollars as they transitioned from a non-profit agency into a small urban transit system. Several of the 501(c)3 non-profit Board members were appointed to the new Board. Retired Air Force Colonel, Judge Advocate, and former Greene County Common Pleas Court Judge, David Reid, the current Vice-Chair, is one member along with Anne Gerard, local realtor for Coldwell Banker Heritage Realtors, who has served as a Chair person in the past. David Middleton, owner of Performance Clinic in Beavercreek, serves as the Transit Board’s Secretary and Treasurer. He has been on the board since January 2005. The current Chair, Woody Stroud, has been serving on the board since July 2008. Mr. Stroud is a retired Air Force Lieutenant Colonel. He was Commander of the 178 Consolidated Aircraft Maintenance Squadron and is retired President of Merchants Capital Management, a division of National City, and Senior Vice President of National City Indiana. Todd Hiney, owner of Hiney Trucking in Xenia, has been serving since December 2012. Blanche Casey, retired Air Force Colonel and Executive Officer DHS/FEMA Directorate, was appointed in November 2015. Charles Rowland was appointed in April 2016. Mr. Rowland is an Attorney at Law from Babb & Rowland LLC. in Fairborn.
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A NOTE FROM
Over the last couple of years Greene CATS fully embraced the hi-tech age with the addition of mobile data terminals and security cameras. New two-way radios were also added this year. Daily schedules are now available on tablets that allow drivers to see their next pick up or drop off time and include a navigation system for obtaining directions. Cameras provide added security and help in reviewing incidents that happen on the bus as well as with driver evaluation and training. The radios make it much easier for drivers to communicate with dispatchers and each other. Planned for this fall is the addition of an automated calling system that will notify passengers their pick up times the day before and provide a call ahead notification when the bus is about to arrive.
Our facilities have also seen an upgrade recently. In April of 2015 the administrative/scheduling office moved into its new much more adequate space in the Xenia Business Center at 2380 Bellbrook Ave., Xenia. With a secure reception area, nine offices, a small kitchen, and equipment and storage room and a shared conference room, the staff of eight now has a much more appropriately configured and equipped facility in which to work. The operation and maintenance facility on Patton Ave. is also currently undergoing renovations and upgrades to add much needed office and training room space along with parking for staff. Growing our capacity to better serve the residents of Greene County that is what Greene CATS has been doing for 15 years. As of 2016 we are regularly operating 30 to 35 routes weekdays and 4 to 5 on weekends providing 15,000 one-way trips a month.
Until our paths cross again...
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MOBILITY MATTERS
Multi-modal mobility options are crucial to Greene County as it is both urban and rural. Greene CATS employs a Mobility Manager position to support and educate the public on these options. To salute Fairborn’s efforts, Greene CATS requested a proclamation from Fairborn Mayor Dan Kirkpatrick, May is Bike Month. The proclamation noted the completion of the middle section of the Wright Brothers Huffman Prairie Bikeway as well as the completion of the western portion of the pathway previously ending on Central Avenue at the YMCA terminus, which now connects to the eastern terminus on Xenia Ave (St. Rt. 235) in front of Calamityville; including passage over the railroad tracks. Cyclists can now safely experience off road riding to Fairborn’s Downtown shops and restaurants, WPAFB, and Wright State University.
RECAP ON MAY EVENTS
On May 16, Greene CATS supported the Click It or Ticket Kickoff event at The Greene along with Greene County Safe Communities, AAA, Ohio State Highway Patrol, Greene County Sheriff’s Office, City of Beavercreek Police Department, City of Fairborn Police Department and the Xenia City Police Department. Click It or Ticket isn’t about the citations; it’s about saving lives. It was a free educational event that also provided car seat inspections by certified technicians. On May 17, Council on Aging’s Senior Palooza was the place to be! Connections was the theme. On May 20, Greene CATS celebrated Community Action Day with Community Action Partnership. This year’s theme was Year of Action; held in Xenia at Shawnee Park. Numerous social service, faith-based, and government agencies were on hand to provide the community with information on services available; coupled with the delicious lunch provided to those in attendance and gorgeous weather; it was a delightful Friday afternoon! |
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“Summer means vacation, outdoor activities, and fun in the sun! It’s a time when families hit the road to visit national parks or distant relatives. The warm months and long days mean that there is plenty of time for baseball games and barbecues. The sultry temperatures practically invite you to take a dip in the pool. But don’t let the sunny days and warm nights fool you. Summer also holds significant weather and water hazards. Heat waves can be lengthy and deadly. Lightning deaths are at their peak during the summer. While the weather may be wild, you are not powerless. This summer, prepare for hazards with these simple steps: You may have only minutes to find shelter before a tornado strikes. Practice a family tornado drill at least once a year. Protect yourself from extreme heat by rescheduling outdoor activities to earlier in the day. There is no safe place outside when lightning is in the area. If you hear thunder, you are likely within striking distance of the storm. Just remember, When Thunder Roars, Go Indoors. Whether on foot or in a car, if you encounter flood waters, Turn Around Don’t Drown! Make sure to check the Air Quality Index for your area at http://airnow.gov. If the air quality is poor, avoid prolonged or extreme exertion outdoors. Be a Force of Nature and share how you’re working to stay safe from weather and water hazards this summer.” (Source: Weather Ready Nation)
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July 4, 2016
Independence Day
Greene CATS Demand Responsive Flex Routes will NOT be in operation on Monday, July 4, 2016.
Greene CATS Scheduled Rides will be LIMITED. Please note: anybody who pays fares for scheduled rides will automatically be placed on the daily waiting list for any scheduled rides on July 4, 2016.
In observance of Independence Day, the Scheduling Offices will be closed July 4, 2016.
Have questions? Contact our Scheduling Office, Monday through Friday, 8am-3pm at 937-708-8322.
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Independence Day Scheduling
| If You Would Like a Reservation For: |
You Must Reserve No Later Than
3pm on: |
Saturday,
July 2
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Wednesday, June 29 |
Sunday,
July 3
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Wednesday, June 29 |
Monday,
July 4
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Wednesday, June 29 |
Tuesday,
July 5
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Thursday, June 30 |
Wednesday,
July 6
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Friday,
July 1 |
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