TRANSPORTATION
49
´, ride to worN every day people liNe me don·t always
have for the bus at any given time,µ Basurto says, adding
that she appreciates the fact that the county did its research,
inviting riders to participate in a survey which provided
important input to better meet community needs.
A new survey is oͿered now on the St. Lucie &ounty
government website stlucieco.gov ³ search ¶transit survey·.
Because the grant that maNes free service possible epires
September , the county is gathering vital information
before applying for another. 2ne of the people hoping for optimum
survey results is &athi 3etagno, senior specialist with
the transit department.
´:hen we went to a nofare system,µ she says, ´our busiest
route, along U.S. , went from , in a month to ,.
7he surveys are important.µ
7&& currently operates seven routes weeNdays from a.m.
to p.m., and si on Saturday from a.m. to noon and to
p.m. 3roposed changes include service to Hutchinson ,sland,
additional stops elsewhere, and more freTuent stops.
EASY PLANNING
A past medical issue fires 3etagno·s current passion as an
advocate for public transportation.
´, wasn·t able to drive myself for some time,µ she says,
´and began using a bus stop near my home.µ
She had no idea that one day she·d be helping others find
aͿordable, reliable transportation for the county.
´:e·re happy to help people plan their routes if they·re
having trouble.µ
3etagno says that the last bus eperience for many was going
to elementary school, which is completely diͿerent from >>
May your Holidays sparkle
and your New Year
be filled with joy
Fort Pierce Utilities Authority
www.fpua.com
ELLEN GILLETTE
St. Lucie County’s Cathi Petagno is proud of the county’s transit system,
which includes the Zagster bike-share program. As with Indian River
County, buses are free; bicycles rent for a dollar per hour with convenient
drop-off and pick-up locations in downtown Fort Pierce.
/www.fpua.com
/stlucieco.gov
/www.fpua.com