The buses roll again

GRANTS - The buses of the Cibola Transit System are traveling the streets of Grants and Milan after several months of remaining idle. A reorganization of routes, bus stops and schedules followed the shutdown of the system, caused by an insurance problem.

“Our vehicles are now insured under the New Mexico State Insurance Fund,” said Arthur Archunde, new director of the transit system.

After studying the previous system under the recommendation of the New Mexico Department of Transportation, Archunde and his team added some stops after determining that stops were located too far apart from one another. “We dropped some stops and added others,” Archunde said.

“When we reorganized, we had to deal with vehicle registration and maintenance as well as the changes in schedules, routes and stops,” he added. “We also did a number of dry runs to make sure we could meet our schedules.”

The agency also has reported its findings to NMDOT, so that it could verify that recommendations are being followed.

Archunde related that the system is working with the Grants Senior Citizens Center, New Mexico Health Services and New Mexico Human Services to determine the transportation needs of their clients.

“For example, TANF recipients can receive a free bus pass through a state program and the Job Access Reverse Commute program of a federally funded program helps single mothers get to jobs,” he explained.

Fares for the buses are $.50 within the city limits of Grants or Milan and $1 to travel to Milan from Grants or to Grants from Milan.

Riders can also reserve a curb-to-curb ride along the six routes by calling the Milan Police Department at 287-4491 the day before the desired service.

“Our goal is to increase the number of our passengers and we've already seen growth since we resumed service on July1,” Archunde commented. “We're open to suggestions from the community.”

The system currently operates four buses.

Bus Route A, westbound

Cibola Transit Authority

Ph.: 287-9816

For demand response route call 287-4491

Route A, west to east - repeats hourly

Fares: $.50 local, $1 Grants to Milan

Location                                                                    Arrives                                                                 Departs

Horizon Blvd. & Motel Dr. - (Petro Truck Stop)               8:20 a.m.                                                  8:23 a.m.

1415 W. Hwy.66 - (John Brook's Market)                        8:25 a.m.                                                  8:28 a.m.

805 W. Hwy.66 - (Family Dollar)                                       8:29 a.m.                                                  8:32 a.m.

623 Uranium Ave. - (Milan Village Hall)                          8:33 a.m.                                                 8:36 a.m.

507 W. Hwy. 66 - (Allsups)                                                 8:37 a.m.                                                 8:40 a.m.

1801 W. Santa Fe Ave. - (old Greyhound Bus Stop)     8:42 a.m.                                                 8:45 a.m.

1201 W. Santa Fe Ave. - (Falcomata Motors)                 8:47 a.m.                                                 8:50 a.m.

Santa Fe Ave. & Lead Ave. - (Fire & Ice Park)                8:51 a.m.                                                 8:54 a.m.

Santa Fe Ave & 5th St.                                                         8:55 a.m.                                                8:58 a.m.

Santa Fe & 1st St. - (Allsups)                                              8:59 a.m.                                                9:02 a.m.

Santa Fe & Nimitz Dr. - (Doc Dan's Auto Center)           9:03 a.m.                                                9:06 a.m.

Santa Fe & George Hanosh Blvd.                                     9:07 a.m.                                                9:10 a.m.

1000 Roberts Dr. - (Wal-Mart)                                            9:14 a.m.                                                9:23 a.m.

Bus Route A, eastbound

Route A, east to west - repeats hourly

Location                                                                                         Arrives                                              Departs

1000 Roberts Dr. - (Wal-Mart)                                                   8:20 a.m.                                          8:23 a.m.

Santa Fe Ave. & George Hanosh Blvd. - (Canton Cafe)      8:27 a.m.                                          8:30 a.m.

Santa Fe Ave. & Nimitz Dr. - (Sailfish Lounge)                      8:31 a.m.                                          8:34 a.m.

Santa Fe Ave. & 1st St. - (Hillcrest Shopping Center)          8:35 a.m.                                           8:38 a.m.

Santa Fe Ave. & 5th St.                                                              8:40 a.m.                                           8:43 a.m.

Santa Fe Ave. & Lead Ave. - (Fire & Ice Park)                       8:44 a.m.                                           8:47 a.m.

1204 W. Santa Fe Ave. - (Badlands Burgers)                        8:48 a.m.                                           8:51 a.m.

1700 W. Santa Fe Ave. - (McDonalds)                                    8:52 a.m.                                           8:55 a.m.

416 W. Hwy. 66 - (Cibola Village Apts)                                   8:57 a.m.                                           9:00 a.m.

623 Uranium Ave. - (Milan Village Hall)                                 9:01 a.m.                                           9:04a.m.

W. Hwy. 66 & Airport Rd. - (Across From Family Dollar)      9:06 a.m.                                          9:09 a.m.

W. Hwy. 66 & Horizon Blvd. - (Chaco Canyon Center)        9: l0 a.m.                                           9: 13 a.m.

Horizon Blvd. & Motel Dr. - (Petro Truck Stop)                       9:15 a.m.                                          9:23 a.m.

Bus Route B, continuous loop

Location                                                                                        Arrives                                                Departs

Santa Fe Ave. & Lead - (Fire & Ice Park)                                   8:20 a.m.                                             8:25 a.m.

Santa Fe Ave & 5th Street                                                            8:30 a.m.                                             8:35 a.m.

Santa Fe & 1st Street - (Allsups)                                                 8:40 a.m.                                             8:45 a.m.

1st Street & Jefferson Ave. - (Allsups)                                        8:50 a.m.                                            8:55 a.m.

551 Washington Ave. - (Future Foundations)                          9:00 a.m.                                             9:05 a.m.

Truman Ave. & Ash                                                                        9:10 a.m.                                            9:15a.m.

New Mexico Human Services Department                               9:20 a.m.                                            9:25 a.m.

1150 Elm Dr. - (CAP)                                                                     9:30 a.m.                                            9:35 a.m.

1016 E. Roosevelt Ave. - (Cibola General Hospital)               9:40 a.m.                                            9:45 a.m.

700 E. Roosevelt Ave. - (Lobo Canyon Shopping Center)    9:50 am                                              9:55 a.m.

1500 N. 3rd St. - (NMSU)                                                              10:00 a.m.                                        10:05 a.m.

Santa Fe Ave. & Lead Ave. - (Fire & Ice Park)                          10:10 a.m.                                        10:15 a.m.