As part of a recent reassessment of Petersburg Area Transit (PAT) routes and a Transit Survey Analysis of Colonial Heights businesses and the general public -Colonial Heights City Council unanimously approved a Southpark Mall Three (3) Year Demonstration Bus Route. PAT will now offer an expanded Southpark bus route that will provide even greater public transportation opportunities for PAT riders, starting March 9, 2015.
“This new initiative demonstrates how cooperation and planning with our neighbors, will now allow greater access to restaurants and museums in Petersburg; as well as transportation opportunities to the surrounding areas, GRTC and Greyhound bus service areas, through public transportation.” comments William E. Johnson, III, Petersburg City Manager.
PAT has operated a bus route within Colonial Heights for a number of years, providing public transportation opportunities for individuals traveling from the Petersburg Bus Station to Southpark Mall. In July 2014, the community of Colonial Heights was presented with an opportunity to express its ideas about transit service through both an interactive and paper survey specific for the Colonial Heights.
In response to the feedback received from the local residents, businesses and city officials, PAT has developed a new route will have a bus traveling north on the Boulevard to Ellerslie Avenue, east on Ellerslie to Conduit Road, and south on Conduit to the mall area – and then back, following the same route in reverse. There will be multiple stops along the route including grocery stores, medical offices and the City Library. The bus will operate regular PAT service times, 6:15 a.m. to 6:45 p.m., Monday through Saturday.
“We are excited about this expanded partnership with PAT to provide greater public transportation opportunities for our residents” says Tom Mattis, Colonial Heights City Manager. “This new bus route will provide a safe and economical option for our residents to travel in and around the community, and throughout the entire region.”
“This partnership fosters an effective regional transit connection for the Tri-Cities and helps to meet the regions changing public transportation needs, by adding new services that can be measured and sustained for the future.” stated Dironna Moore Belton, Transit General Manager.