Free Bus Service In Douglas County: Merry Christmas

DOUGLASVILLE, GA — Douglas County has a Christmas present for residents and visitors.

Through Jan. 1, Connect Douglas is offering free rides to everyone on its fixed route, paratransit and flex route services. The standard one-way fare for Connect Douglas services is normally $2.50, or $1 for senior adults, students and individuals with a disability.

The Douglas County Board of Commissioners approved the free rides this week. The move is Connect Douglas’ way to say thank you to area residents and guests for making the bus launch a success, said Connect Douglas Director Gary Watson.

Since the fixed route, paratransit and flex services started June 20, ridership has steadily increased. The number of people using Connect Douglas has grown each month. During the October-November period, Connect Douglas averaged 105 boardings per day.

“We hope that by offering the free rides, we will make it easier for some people to do their Christmas shopping,” Watson said. “We all know how difficult Douglas County traffic can be. By using Connect Douglas, you can get to your favorite shopping locations and let us do the driving. You won’t have to worry about finding a parking space or suffering through the frustration of long lines of slow or stop and go traffic.” Watson added,

“We have already built up a core of dedicated, regular riders, but by offering the free rides, we hope new people will try our service, like it and become regulars. Our service really is an easy way to get around town.”

Connect Douglas is a commuter-oriented program that operates work-trip vanpools, offers transportation assistance to senior adults and disabled individuals, provides carpool-matching assistance, builds and maintains commuter facilities and participates in transit and public transportation planning and marketing.

The county commission voted in 2018 to accept a federal Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality grant. The county used it to set up Connect Douglas, according to the Marietta Daily Journal.

The Connect Douglas service uses 14 mini buses to run along four fixed routes on a regular loop, primarily in the east and northeast parts of the county.

The fixed-route bus service began this year.

Connect Douglas offices are in the Douglas County Transportation Center at 8800 Dorris Road in Douglasville. The Transportation Center is open 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday. The phone number is 770-949-7665, and the e-mail address is connectdouglas@co.douglas.ga.us.

“We are thrilled with the acceptance of our new Connect Douglas services. We hope everyone will take advantage of this opportunity to ride at no cost, said Commission Chairman Dr. Romona Jackson-Jones said. "We wish all of you a Merry Christmas.”

Connect Douglas services operate Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. For schedule and pick-up locations information, go to www.connectdouglas.com, or call 770-9949-7665, Option 5.