BAKERSFIELD, CA -- New GET bus routes may soon bring relief to the Bakersfield Homeless Center and other agencies affected by current routes.
This comes after a heated meeting this week with several groups claiming residents aren't benefiting from public transportation.
Golden Empire Transit caters to 500,000 people every month.
GET bus officials say they're looking at new ideas to better accommodate certain areas, but with the lack of funds, it won't be easy.
The proposed bus routes will also benefit Clinica Sierra Vista and BARC.
Several groups said Golden Empire Transit wasn't accommodating residents after new routes were implemented in 2012.
But, GET bus officials said Friday a plan is being looked at to better serve Bakersfield.
But, along with new proposed routes, come new concerns.
"If we want to increase cost, increase service in one location, we have to decrease service in another location. It's really as simple as that. Unless we can get more funding and at this point in time, that's not going to happen," said Gina Hayden, Golden Empire Transit.
One of the loudest complaints comes from the Bakersfield Homeless Center where two years ago, the nearest bus stop was moved from right in front of the facility on East Truxtun Avenue, to Washington Street and California Avenue, almost a half-mile away.
"If we can get the bus stop in front of the facility again four our clients, it will definitely improve the safety of women and children that need a safe place to stay," said Louis Gill, Bakersfield Homeless Center.
"We can re-route the bus to make a loop to the homeless shelter. What we would be doing is inconveniencing 64,000 customers for 3,000 customers," said Hayden.
Hayden says adding another bus stop will cost roughly $200,000.
But, with the lack of funds, Golden Empire Transit says it will try to figure out a way to help residents of the shelter along with other agencies affected.
The new proposed routes will be presented at the next city-county meeting and could be seen this summer.
This comes after a heated meeting this week with several groups claiming residents aren't benefiting from public transportation.
Golden Empire Transit caters to 500,000 people every month.
GET bus officials say they're looking at new ideas to better accommodate certain areas, but with the lack of funds, it won't be easy.
The proposed bus routes will also benefit Clinica Sierra Vista and BARC.
Several groups said Golden Empire Transit wasn't accommodating residents after new routes were implemented in 2012.
But, GET bus officials said Friday a plan is being looked at to better serve Bakersfield.
But, along with new proposed routes, come new concerns.
"If we want to increase cost, increase service in one location, we have to decrease service in another location. It's really as simple as that. Unless we can get more funding and at this point in time, that's not going to happen," said Gina Hayden, Golden Empire Transit.
One of the loudest complaints comes from the Bakersfield Homeless Center where two years ago, the nearest bus stop was moved from right in front of the facility on East Truxtun Avenue, to Washington Street and California Avenue, almost a half-mile away.
"If we can get the bus stop in front of the facility again four our clients, it will definitely improve the safety of women and children that need a safe place to stay," said Louis Gill, Bakersfield Homeless Center.
"We can re-route the bus to make a loop to the homeless shelter. What we would be doing is inconveniencing 64,000 customers for 3,000 customers," said Hayden.
Hayden says adding another bus stop will cost roughly $200,000.
But, with the lack of funds, Golden Empire Transit says it will try to figure out a way to help residents of the shelter along with other agencies affected.
The new proposed routes will be presented at the next city-county meeting and could be seen this summer.