Survey Results Prompt Community Meetings to Shape Public Transit Transformation

Clinton Transit has been paving the way for a public transit transformation in Clinton County with service expansions and improvements. The agency’s latest project is a comprehensive Transportation Development Plan (TDP) that will serve as a roadmap for future service improvements.

“The level of engagement on the surveys earlier this year was extraordinary,” shares Clinton Transit Executive Director MaLissa Schutt. “Now we have some unique opportunities for continued connection with the community.”

Clinton Transit has sought feedback from residents, businesses and riders every step of the way—and is extending the conversation with a series of events on Wed. and Thu. Oct. 11-12.

Clinton Transit will host the Building Stronger Communities Council monthly meeting at the Watkins Conference Center, 215 North Scott Rd. in St. Johns the morning of Wed., Oct. 11. This group of engaged community leaders serves to address issues in Clinton County that impact the lives of children, families and special populations in their area. Members will have the opportunity to ride the Blue Bus while hearing survey results, participating in discussions and providing feedback.

The council will then join the community for a public event from 1-3 p.m. at the Watkins Conference Center, “Planning Ahead: A Community Workshop for Improving Public Transit Services.” Please RSVP to Fran Beres, executive office assistant, at accounting@clintontransit.com or 989.534.2707.

On Thu., Oct. 12, everyone is invited to stop by and say hi at the agency’s “Meetings on the Bus,” featuring the iconic Blue Buses stationed at these Clinton County locations:

  • Bath Farmers Market from 3-6 p.m.
  • DeWitt Meijer from 5-7 p.m.
  • Johns Walmart from 5-7 p.m.

Blue Bus leadership and specialists from KFH Group, Inc. will be on-hand to share survey results and ask residents how they would like Clinton Transit to address community needs and prioritize service improvements.

“We hope everyone will take the opportunity to meet us on the Blue Bus or join the community workshop. We are excited to share the outcomes of the surveys and collaborate to identify solutions. We want to hear more about the community’s suggestions and discuss their needs,” says Schutt.

Established in 2001, Clinton Transit has been providing curb-to-curb service to meet the needs of all Clinton County residents. Fondly known as the Blue Bus, the on-demand transit system responds to ride requests and provides safe, reliable transportation to all county residents. This creates a more connected, accessible and vibrant Clinton County.

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Clinton Transit is committed to ensuring that residents remain mobile and connected to the important people and places in their lives. To support this, the agency is working on a comprehensive Transit Development Plan designed to identify Clinton County’s transportation needs and assess how transit can adapt to meet those needs through innovative ideas, local connections and regional collaborations.

“The completed plan will serve as a roadmap for future service improvements and potential expansion,” explains MaLissa Schutt, executive director for Clinton Transit. “This is an opportunity to help design what public transportation will look like in Clinton County in the future.”

Via stakeholder meetings, focus groups, open houses and three separate surveys, Clinton Transit will be seeking feedback from every corner of Clinton County. Beginning this month, three surveys will be deployed to gather input from current customers, as well as Clinton County residents and employers. “We hope everyone will take part. Whether they ride the Blue Bus or not, their input gives us valuable insights that we will use to guide our decisions,” says Schutt.

Individuals are encouraged to respond to each survey that applies to them as residents, employers and/or current riders.

“We’ll be sending a separate survey to local employers. More than a third of rides on the Blue Bus are work related, so we want to hear how we can better serve our local workforce,” says Schutt.

Clinton County residents will also receive a postcard with information about the survey and how to participate. Riders can conveniently fill out a paper survey on their next trip. Links to each survey will also be available at mybluebus.com and facebook.com/bluebus.

Established in 2001, Clinton Transit has been providing curb-to-curb service to meet the needs of all Clinton County residents. Fondly known as the Blue Bus, the on-demand transit system responds to ride requests and provides safe, reliable transportation to all county residents. This creates a more connected, accessible and vibrant Clinton County. For more information on the Blue Bus, visit mybluebus.com.

Clinton Transit Extends Weekday Evening Service Hours

press release

Clinton County residents can now receive weekday rides on the Blue Bus later in the evening, thanks to Clinton Transit’s extended hours. These additional service hours are part of the public transit agency’s continued commitment to keeping residents connected to the important people and places in their lives.

Weekday service previously stopped at 7 p.m. and is now extended to 9 p.m. The Blue Bus provides curb-to- curb rides, which can be scheduled by calling the dispatch department at 989.224.8127.

“Establishing weekend and after-hours services were among the recommendations sited in a 2018 Tri-County Regional Transit Study conducted by the Tri-County Regional Planning Commission,” says MaLissa Schutt, Clinton Transit’s Executive Director. “By extending weekday service through 9 p.m., residents whose work schedules go beyond the nine-to-five can still rely on us for their transportation needs.”

New Service Hours:
Monday – Friday, 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Saturday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Dispatch Office Hours:
Monday – Friday, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Saturday, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Clinton Transit added Saturday service in April 2021 and recently introduced weekday walk-on rides between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. from select locations. The Blue Bus celebrated its 20th anniversary last year and, under the leadership of Schutt and the dedicated Board of Directors, is committed to increasing mobility throughout the agency’s service area.

“The key to keeping people connected is to efficiently coordinate the services provided by Clinton Transit with local and regional partners,” says Schutt. “All our efforts, from simplified fares and extended service hours to tri- county collaboration efforts, are designed to meet our community’s mobility needs.”
Established in 2001, Clinton Transit has been providing curb-to-curb service to meet the needs of all Clinton County residents. Fondly known as the Blue Bus, the on-demand transit system responds to ride requests and provides safe, reliable transportation to all county residents. This creates a more connected, accessible and vibrant Clinton County. For more information on the Blue Bus, visit mybluebus.com.