Since August of 2014, the need for public transportation as a means to combat poverty has repeatedly come before the Santa Rosa County Board of County Commissioners championed by Dr. Karen Barber and her organization Bridges out of Poverty. The City of Milton is investigating public transportation as well. Now, the county asks for citizens’ help take another step toward getting public transportation in the county by filling out a public transportation survey.
According to Shawn Ward, Long Range Planning Manager for SRC, the survey is put on by Okaloosa and Escambia County. He said ECAT in Escambia and WAVE in Okaloosa are updating their transportation surveys and this time Santa Rosa County can show it’s interested in public transportation.
Ward said, “In 2008, Santa Rosa County adopted a transit feasibility study. In 2011, Escambia and Okaloosa Counties adopted a Transit Development Plan. The adopted plans recommend the expansion of public transit into Santa Rosa County. There has also been direction from the Board of County Commissioners to work with our neighboring counties to potentially expand public transit into SRC; therefore, we want to be included in their plans and provide input. The TDP is required to receive transit funding from the State of Florida.”
The survey asks opinions on public transit, traffic in the area, and what the survey taker would want and expect out of public transit. It also asks about the taker’s personal income and location, but it’s otherwise anonymous.
There are only a few weeks left to take the survey. Ward said the surveys will be collected for review March 20. Those with computer access can take the survey directly at www.surveymonkey.com/r/SRCtransit. It’s also available through the county website at www.santarosa.fl.gov/transit. Finally, if necessary, call Ward directly and he can provide a survey at 981-7082.
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: SRC citizens have direct hand in transportation study