SARTA

Hop on the bus, Gus! No air conditioning in your house? For one dollar you can ride around for an hour or so on an air-conditioned bus. You can just sit there and watch the scenery go by while you cool off. You might even see parts of Alliance you haven't seen in awhile. Maybe you'll strike up a conversation with a fellow rider and make a new friend.

SARTA has three routes in Alliance. You can take the north route that goes clear out to Route 619 or you can take the south route to places like Value City or Wendy's. The 130 bus goes to the Carnation Mall and Wal-Mart, then on to Canton. If you have a computer, you can get the routes schedules and maps by going to www.sartaonline.com. You can also contact SARTA staff via email on the same web site. SARTA has a new telephone system now, which is working very well. If you have questions, you can call them at 330-454-6132.

If you don't have a computer, the schedules are available at the SARTA transfer station on the corner of Main and Union. Harry Reed is usually there during the day and he'll be glad to help you out. You'll find the majority of the SARTA staff to be very helpful. The bus drivers get to know their passengers and take pride in providing good service.

SARTA has initiated the Community Coach service, aimed at providing needed transportation for seniors here in Alliance. On Wednesday and Thursday of each week, SARTA picks up passengers at the Newsom Towers on Main St., the Alliance Towers on Arch, and the Hart Apartments on Simpson. On Wednesdays passengers can ride to Buckeye Village, Carnation Mall or Wal-Mart. On Thursdays they can go to shop at Value City or the College Plaza.

SARTA also offers the Pro Line service for disabled residents. Registration for this service requires some paperwork, but SARTA will help with the forms. The Pro Line service is also known as the "curb to curb" program. That means you don't have to stand along side the road waving your hand to catch the bus. If you're eligible for the Pro Line, the bus will come right to your house and pick you up. Rides have to be arranged a week in advance. Mondays and Saturdays fill up fast, so you have to be quick.

Right now there are no fixed bus stops in Alliance. If you want to catch the bus, just stand along the route and flag down the driver. However, that may change in the near future with the addition of some fixed bus stops on some routes.

Riding the bus is cheap and easy and all buses are handicapped accessible. You just get on the bus, put your money in the fare box, and sit down and enjoy the ride. If you want to change buses and not have to pay another dollar, ask the driver for a transfer. Monthly passes are available for those who ride all the time. Call SARTA and ask how much they cost. If you have questions you can call SARTA at 330-454-6132 or call the mayor's office at 330-821-3110.