KINGMAN, Ariz. – Just like beauty, “pro” and “con” seems to be in the eye of the beholder, or in this case, the rider.
What may be a pro to some is a con to others, especially riders of Kingman’s Yellow Bus route. They all view the elimination of the route a very big con for them.
“If we lose it, I’ll have to move,” said Bill West. “I have no other transportation and I’m too old and out of shape to ride a bike all the way into town.”
He added that he’d be willing to pay more to keep the route going.
Andy Smith, another rider, said he was handicapped, and it was hard for him to get around on foot.
“It’s the only bus that will take me there,” Smith said. “If it’s eliminated, I’d have to take a taxi. From here (Walmart) to there would be $20 to $40 and I can’t afford that.”
One of the Yellow Bus drivers at Walmart, Debbie Keith, said, “I’m hoping it all works out. There are citizens with walkers that have no cars. They’re coming into town to shop, to doctor’s appointments.”
Director of Angel Manor Wendy Rapp Weaver, speaking of her residents, said, “No one could get to work, to doctor’s appointments, mental health appointments, drug testing or grocery shopping. Angel Manor would have no way to function, leaving all these families homeless and broke. No work means more theft and crime.”
Several Angel Manor residents spoke out against the elimination of the Yellow Bus at the June 16 Kingman City Council meeting, prompting Vice Mayor Cherish Sammeli, before adjournment, to ask for an update on the Yellow Bus route. That update is expected at the next city council meeting July 7.
Kingman Area Regional Transit (KART) Supervisor Sheri Furr said the closest con she could think of would be the operating expenses like maintenance and gasoline.
“It’s a financial matter,” she stated. “It’s been providing service outside of the city for many years, but I don’t really consider those cons.”
She added, “There are many pros for it. It provides needed services and I’m hopeful that the county can come up with a way to keep it going.”
If the Yellow Bus route is eliminated it would, however, save the city, at least $100-165K or more a year; that would be a “pro” for the city, but again, a “con” for riders.
