BATTLE CREEK, MI (WNWN/WTVB) – Battle Creek Transit has announced that due to continued driver shortages, they will make additional adjustments to its fixed bus route service starting this Monday, August 7.
Drivers must have a Commercial Driver’s License to operate the large buses and BCT officials say despite ongoing efforts to hire new CDL drivers, they are facing the most significant shortage of drivers in its history.
A news release from the City of Battle Creek stated the problem is not unique to BCT. Nationwide, 92 percent of transit agencies report having difficulty hiring drivers, with bus drivers being the most difficult to fill. Of those agencies, 71 percent have had to make similar service cuts or delay service increases because of this driver shortage.
Effective this Monday, BCT fixed-route bus service will operate Monday through Friday from 5:15 a.m. until 6:45 p.m., but there will be no service from 11:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m. to provide lunch breaks for bus drivers.
All hourly bus routes (Columbia/Territorial, Fort Custer/VA, and SW Capital) will continue to operate every hour, except for the VA Express, which will only run at 5:45 a.m.
All current half-hour bus routes will combine so that they alternate service schedules at 15 minutes and 45 minutes after the hour. Each route’s stops are the same, but the timing will be different. Riders are being asked to check the schedule for the route they use, and call BCT if help is needed.
The complete listing of BCT’s new service schedule, by route, is as follows:
• 1W – West Michigan: 15 minutes after each hour
• 2E – Emmett/East Avenue: 5:15 a.m., 7:15 a.m., 9:15 a.m., 1:15 p.m., 3:15 p.m., 6:15 p.m.
• 2W – Columbia/Territorial: 15 minutes after each hour
• 3E – Main/Post: 15 minutes after each hour
• 3W – Kendall/Goodale: 45 minutes after each hour, 6:15 p.m.
• 4N – NE Capital: 45 minutes after each hour, 6:15 p.m.
• 4S – SW Capital: 15 minutes after each hour
• 4S – Circulator (operational during Capital Avenue SW bridge closure): 15 and 45 minutes after
each hour, leaving Lakeview Square Mall
• 5W – Fort Custer/VA Hospital: 15 minutes after each hour, VA Express only at 5:45 a.m.
Residents who need help planning their trip can call BCT at (269) 966-3474. For those who face significant challenges with this new service schedule, BCT encourages them to look into their door-to-door transit options, such as Tele-Transit or BCGo.
More information regarding BCT services can be found on our website at, battlecreekmi.gov/transit.
Meanwhile, BCT is looking for part-time or full-time drivers. Those interested can apply online at battlecreekmi.gov/jobs.
