Austin College students have a new — and “greener” — means of getting around Sherman, thanks to the launch of Roo Route, an initiative of the Texoma Area Paratransit System (TAPS) that includes a looping fixed bus route between Austin College and a number of area businesses. The inaugural Roo Route ran August 24, 2009, in conjunction with ceremonies that included Austin College, TAPS, and Texoma C
ouncil of Governments (TCOG) officials and was open to all students and members of the public The program included comments from Marjorie Hass, president of Austin College; Tim Millerick, vice president for Student Affairs at Austin College; Francis Pelley, a community leader who has assisted with the project; Cary Wacker, TAPS board president and Sherman City Councilor; Susan Thomas of TCOG; and Dallas Key, Austin College student body president. Following the brief ceremony, several attendees rode into history on the first Roo Route. and midnight Monday through Saturday, picking up at Zauk Circle and Johnson ‘Roo Suites then traveling to several potential stops between the college and Sherman Town Center businesses, then reversing the route back to campus. TAPS buses will be equipped with pull strings to alert drivers to stops and will accommodate riders along the route when hailing the bus as long as the location is safe for a stop. The City of Sherman will work with TAPS to install official bus stop signs. More information about the fixed route service is available at www.tapsbus.com. Community members also may ride the bus but will be charged a small fee. TAPS Executive Director Brad Underwood has worked on this project since its inception, even as he transitioned from Board President to CEO. “This project is a great example of collaboration between our colleges, cities, Texoma Council of Governments, TxDOT and TAPS to enhance transportation service for area students and the surrounding neighborhoods,” said Underwood. “Local bus service is an old idea whose time has come again.” TAPS board members, who are appointed to represent local governments in the paratransit authority’s service area, have enthusiastically supported the new service, said board president and Sherman City Councilor Cary Wacker. Planning for the Roo Route began after TCOG secured a state transportation grant in summer 2008 to fund a demonstration project for enhanced public transportation in the area. Austin College was a logical starting point to provide service, and Tim Millerick, vice president for Student Affairs at Austin College, has championed the project, supporting the concept and providing faculty and staff resources to determine the route and hours of operation, and other logistical details.
“Timing couldn’t be better with our record enrollment for incoming freshman, and efforts to be a leader in ‘green’ initiatives locally and nationally,” Millerick said. “Austin College is pleased to support the Roo Route and community change toward more efficient local transportation.”
A major contributor to the launch of the Roo Route is 2009 Austin College graduate Nathan Withers, who is currently TAPS’ mobility manager. He began work on this project as a student intern at TCOG before he completed his coursework in December 2008. He has coordinated the project between TxDOT, TCOG, TAPS, Town Center businesses, and Austin College from the initial grant application to surveys and focus groups conducted by Austin College professors, and stages leading up to the launch. “What an opportunity I’ve had to see the project from start to finish, and after planning for nearly 12 months, I can’t wait to see riders on buses,” said Withers.
