BULLHEAD CITY – The question has been brought up numerous times to city officials about travel within the community.
City Manager Toby Cotter analyzed statistical information to show that residents are doing a good job of staying at home.
“Looking only at statistics, it is clear that residents and tourists are staying home,” Cotter said. “Traffic counts, business closures, park facility closures, the Governor’s Executive Orders and continued announcements advising people to stay home are working.”
Cotter said people might see a full parking lot at Walmart or Smiths and say everyone is out and about, but traffic counts show a different story.
Traffic counts on Hwy 95 are less than half of what normally would be on the highway. On March 1, 2019 there were 33,787 cars on Hwy 95 as counted at one intersection on the northside of the community. On March 1, 2020 there were 27,406 vehicles. On March 29, 2020, the vehicle count at the same intersection was just 11,712 cars. On Saturday, April 4 there were just 14,687 as compared to more than 30,000+ cars normally on Hwy 95.
Google has also been analyzing it’s users in the Bullhead City area. From February 16 through Sunday, March 29, retail and recreation is down 36 percent. Trips to work is down 37 percent. Trips to grocery and pharmacy is down 13 percent.
Ridership is down 31 percent on the City’s BATS bus system when looking at March 2019 versus March 2020. In March of 2019, there were 13,759 BATS rides. There were 9,444 BATS rides in March of 2020. Before many of the area businesses closed, a typical day would be like Wednesday, March 4 with 651 passengers. On Wednesday, April 1 there were 238 riders.
“The Governor’s orders and Mohave County Public Health experts tell all Bullhead City residents to continue to stay home at least through April to slow the spread of COVID-19,” Cotter said. “We can’t wait to see our residents and tourists enjoying normal life again in Bullhead City. But, now is not that time. Please stay home in April so we can have a much better summer.”
The City continues to remind residents and visitors that parties are not allowed in City parks. No ramada reservations are allowed. All special events and tournaments scheduled in the parks have been canceled through April. Physical distancing also applies at all City beaches. Any groups of 10 or more at a city beach will be asked to break up the group or leave the park.
