Reported by Saul Saenz
DAYTONA BEACH -- Riders on one Central Florida transit system are having their daily lives changed.
The reason?
Votran in Volusia county is making changes to bus routes -- changes many riders knew nothing about until they learned about it from News 13.
Kathryn Saxon rides Votran bus No. 11 in Daytona Beach daily to get to work.
The next bus is on Votran Route 11.
An information box lets her know when her next bus arrives. It doesn't tell her or other riders about changes Votran officials will make to bus routes during a public meeting.
"We're gonna take service, we're gonna delete service on some segments," said Ken Fisher, Votran general manager.
Bus riders say they did not know about the changes.
"I had no Idea and I ride the bus almost daily. I've not seen any notices or anything
like that," said Lisa Bea, another bus rider.
Votran officials say pamphlets telling riders about the changes, and tonight's meeting are on every bus, a meeting people affected by the changes say they'll have a hard time getting to because it's several bus transfers away in South Daytona.
Saxon said she would not be able to attend because of work and bus schedules.
"With work, I don't get home till ten after five," Saxon said. "And when buses run, it would be difficult."
"You'd think they'd hold them closer to the plaza where everyone's at
so they could get involved," one rider said. "I don't think anyone's even heard about
it. It's the first I heard."
The issue leaves some riders wondering why the meeting isn't being held at the plaza.
Fisher claimes there are no facilities at the transfer plaza to conduct the meeting.
Fisher says changes talked about are not set in stone, that unless there are major flaws, they will go forward with them.
Riders affected by possible flaws, however, may not make it to the one, and only public meeting on the matter.