Country Roads Transit has joined with the Upshur County Parks and Recreation Advisory Board to make it easier for local residents to get to the county pool this summer.
Rick Edwards, from the Advisory Board, announced at Thursday's meeting of the Upshur County Commission that a bus will make various stops in Buckhannon and Tennerton beginning June 12, with the destination being the Upshur County Pool.
"All of the bus stops are at child safety zones," Edwards said, pointing out that "unwanted presences" would not be allowed within 1,500 feet of the stops.
Country Roads Transit will provide transportation on Tuesdays and Thursdays to the pool. The cost is free to Upshur County high school and middle school students who show a valid identification or lunch card. Children ages 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult. Adults will be charged $1.50 round-trip. The cost of the ride does not include admission to the swimming pool.
"This is a good expansion for Country Roads Transit," Commissioner Donnie Tenney said. "It's another good service for Upshur County."
The bus will have pickups at the Stockert Youth Center at noon and 3 p.m.; Buckhannon Academy Elementary School on College Avenue at 12:05 p.m. and 3:05 p.m.; the Housing Authority on Hinkle Drive at 12:15 p.m. and 3:15 p.m.; and the bus garage at Buckhannon-Upshur Middle School at 12:20 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.
The bus will leave the pool at 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. Drop-offs will occur at the middle school at 3:40 p.m. and 5:10 p.m.; the Housing Authority at 3:45 p.m. and 5:15 p.m.; Buckhannon Academy Elementary School at 3:55 p.m. and 5:25 p.m.; and finally at the Stockert Youth Center at 4:05 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.
Country Roads Transit will only run if the pool is open, and it will adjust its return schedule should the pool close early because of weather.
In a related matter, Country Roads Transit Director Rebecca Poe announced she will be retiring April 27, and she introduced Laura Ward as her replacement.
Poe had been with Country Roads Transit and the Randolph County Senior Center for more than 27 years.
Ward said she was "blessed" to come into a job where Poe "had already paved the way."
"I hope we can develop the same kind of relationship you had with Becky," Ward told the commissioners.
