Extra trips added to KC bus schedule

Kilgore College is now offering bus service for students between Kilgore and Longview campuses. The service is free to registered students and is offered throughout the day, five days a week. (photos left to right) April Lomax gets in a little extra work during the ride, she is a sophomore business major. The bus was full this morning with students headed to the Kilgore campus from Longview. Ranger Ride is underway and getting a positive response from students commuting from Longview to Kilgore.

Charlotte Christie, Ranger Ride bus driver for East Texas Council of Governments rural transit department, said the morning run carries the most riders. "Some of the students have remarked they did not know about the bus, but as the semester progresses the word will spread," said Christie.

Christie said two new times have been added to the schedule. "There will now be a 11:30 a.m. pick-up in Longview to Kilgore and a 2:30 p.m. pick-up at Kilgore and going to Longview," said Christie.

The bus currently leaves Kilgore, Monday through Friday, at 7 a.m. and returns to Kilgore from Longview at 7:30 a.m. The midday route is a departure from Kilgore at 12:30 p.m. and a return from Longview at 1 p.m. The final run for the day is a 5 p.m. departure from Kilgore, returning from Longview at 5:30 p.m..

News Herald Photos by Lewster Murray Christie said the two new times were added so students who couldn't make the 1 p.m. bus back to Longview would not have to wait until 5 p.m. to return home.

"We have additional buses available if the number of student riders picks up," said Christie. "We are almost at capacity in the morning from Longview and the returns taper off during the day routes," said Christie.

April Lomax, 20, a sophomore at Kilgore College, said the bus helps her out financially because of the cost of gasoline. "I am a full-time student taking 12 hours and ride the bus all week so it really means a lot to me to have this service available," said Lomax.

Lomax is a business major at Kilgore College and has to be at the bus stop by 7:30 a.m. to head to class.

Most of the students on the bus this morning acknowledged they ride the bus five times a week for class.

Christie said ETCOG is also looking for any input from students on how the service could be improved.

The bus service is offered free for KC students who show their college identification card.