If the best way to understand a person is to walk a mile in their shoes, then the best way to understand a bus system is to hop on the bus. That’s why Palm Beach County Administrator Verdenia C. Baker, Palm Tran Executive Director Clinton B. Forbes and transit advocate Nicky Brown took a ride together on Route 43. The ride allowed Baker to experience first-hand how Palm Tran’s bus system is operating amid recent improvements and innovations.
“We are very pleased we were able to take a ride with the CEO of the county, our county administrator, Verdenia Baker,” Forbes said. “We actually rode the bus after peak hours and the bus was almost at capacity. It truly proves the value of transit to a community.”
Last year, Palm Tran launched its bus system overhaul known as the Route Performance Maximization (RPM) project. The RPM project was supported by County Administrator Baker and approved by the Board of County Commissioners (BCC).
Since launching, Palm Tran’s system has experienced improvements in on-time performance and ridership has gone up on several routes. Route 43, specifically, was streamlined with more frequent service on Saturdays and extended morning and evening hours. By riding the bus, Baker experienced how the route was performing thanks to the enhancements.
The ride was brokered by Nicky Brown, an avid Palm Tran rider who regularly attends the Board of County Commissioners meetings and the Palm Tran Service Board. Brown suggested at various meetings that Baker ride the bus to see how the RPM project has helped take Palm Tran to the next level.
Brown hopes the experience will encourage more advancements in the future.
“It was a great experience that day, and she was very happy,” Brown said. “I am a regular route rider, so I ride the bus every day. The bus arrived at each stop on schedule and everyone got where they needed to go on time. There were no complaints at all. Everyone was pretty happy about that.”
Baker’s new budget, which was approved by commissioners, extended Palm Tran’s service hours to include holidays. These changes are expected to occur within the next several months.
“This experience was an opportunity to talk with riders and gain an even greater appreciation for how the RPM project led to positive changes in their everyday lives. An outstanding, efficient transit system is key to managing growth in Palm Beach County and ensuring everyone has mobility options,” Baker said.
In the future, there are plans for Baker to repeat the bus ride on Route 1. For more information on Palm Tran: visit www.palmtran.org.
