PRESS RELEASE

June 13, 2011

SIXTH ANNUAL NATIONAL DUMP THE PUMP DAY TO BE HELD ON JUNE 16

Dump the Pump.  Save Money.  Ride Transit.

With the economic recession still in effect and gasoline prices approaching $4 a gallon, CTA announced today that it will join with other public transportation systems nationwide to participate in the Sixth Annual National Dump the Pump Day on Thursday, June 16.  The slogan of this year’s National Dump the Pump Day is “Dump the Pump.  Save Money. Ride Transit.” CTA is celebrating the event by offering FREE RIDES all day on all fixed Route and demand response buses. 

Sponsored by the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) the 2011 National Dump the Pump Day is a day that encourages people to ride public transportation, save money and protect the environment. Started in June 2006 when gas prices were $3 per gallon, this national day emphasizes that public transportation is a great travel option that also helps people save money.

In this economic climate, saving money is on everyone’s minds and public transportation is the quickest way to beat high gas prices. According to the latest APTA Transit Savings Report, individuals in a two person household can save an average of more than $10,000 annually by downsizing to one car. Using public transportation also reduces our consumption of oil and minimizes risk to the environment.   

CTA management staff will be at the Biloxi and Gulfport transit centers from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.  to meet and greet our transit customers.  

WHAT:           6^th Annual National Dump the Pump Day

WHERE:         at Coast Transit Authority (CTA) and transit agencies nationwide

WHEN:           Thursday, June 16, 2011

And Don’t Forget  - RIDE FREE all day on Thursday, June 16.

Hurricane Season is here and it is important that you are prepared.  If you or someone you know in Harrison County needs assistance with hurricane evacuation, CTA can assist you.  To register, simply contact us at (228) 896-8080 ext. 227 or complete the Hurricane Evacuation form located under our Special Programs on our website.  Pre-registration is highly recommended so CTA is aware of any special needs you may have.  To view more details about the program, click here Hurricane Evacuation Brochure

CTA will provide shuttle service from the Gulfport Transit Center parking garage (15th Street) and Harrison County Courthouse parking garage (24th Avenue) for $5.00 per person.  Parking is free at both parking garages which are secure, covered and well lit.  Shuttle schedule will be Friday, May 13th from 4:00 PM – 12:30 AM and Saturday, May 14th from 3:00 PM till 1:30 AM.   CLICK on attached flyer for details.  CTA Shuttle Service Flyer and Map

PRESS RELEASE

MARCH  15, 2011

Keesler Air Show Park & Ride Service

CTA will be providing a free Park & Ride service for the general public in support of the Keesler Air Show on March 19 and 20. People can park at the Edgewater Mall and board the CTA and Keesler AFB shuttle buses at the CTA Bus Stop, which is located at the south side of the Edgewater Mall parking garage. The buses will deliver people a short walking distance from the Air Show Designated Viewing Area. The service will operate on both days from 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 bringing people to the air show and from 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. bringing people back to the Edgewater Mall parking area. Limited service will be available to and from the event during the mid day periods. Keesler security personnel will conduct security screening of all passengers when de-boarding at the viewing area. This service is free to the general public and military personnel.

For additional information call 896-8080. 

“We Keep the Gulf Coast Rolling”

Press Release

March 3, 2011

Subject:

RT 4 D’Iberville Service Schedule Interruptions 

Construction projects that have begun recently on the I-110 Bridge and around the Promenade shopping center have prevented us from being able to operate the service on RT 4 according to the published time schedule. We apologize for this inconvenience to our customers. 

To improve the quality of service on this route, effective Friday, March 4, 2011 CTA will begin operating a second bus on this route during times of peak traffic congestion. The additional bus will operate on Monday – Saturday from 12:55 p.m. to 5:50 p.m. and on Sunday from 12:55 p.m. to 4:20 p.m. We will make every attempt to operate the service according to the published time schedule. Please be advised that due to traffic conditions the bus may arrive at your stop earlier or later than the published time schedule. 

If you encounter problems with the time schedule please contact Jay Curtis, Operations Director at 896-8080 ext. 234. 

For additional information call 896-8080.            

“We Keep the Gulf Coast Rolling”

Press Release #2

March 3, 2011

Subject: Mardis Gras Season Service
Mardi Gras celebrations across the coast will cause some interruptions to the Fixed Route services on various dates and times. The following is a list of disruptions that will occur to our Fixed Routes only. All of our Demand Response services will operate a normal service. We apologize for any inconvenience to our customers.

 Friday, March 4
-Biloxi’s Moore Community House Parade 9:00 a.m. Route 31 Red Line between the hours of 7:45 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. we will not service areas from Nichols Dr. to Braun St. and Main St. The route will be diverted onto Lee St. from Division St. north to Bayview Ave. and then south on Reynoir St.

 Friday, March 4
-Ocean Springs Carnival Association Parade 7:00 p.m. Route 7 Ocean Springs between the hours of 5:30 p.m. and 8:20 p.m. we will not service the Villa Maria, Samaritan House and Government St. from Washington Ave. to Holcomb Blvd. The eastbound route will be diverted to stay on Hwy. 90 to Holcomb Blvd., and the westbound route will get on Hwy. 90 after leaving Winn Dixie. 

Saturday, March 5 * This Parade has been rescheduled to Monday March 7. Same time, same route.*
-Biloxi’s Children’s Walking Parade 11:00 a.m. Route 31 Red Line between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. will not service areas between Esters and Howard Ave. on Lameuse St. The route will be diverted east on Esters to Main St. then south on Main St. to Howard Ave. 

-Gulfport Krewe of Gemini Parade 2:00 p.m. Between the hours of 1:00 p.m. and 5:25 p.m. the Gulfport Transit Center will be closed to bus service. Route to route bus transfers will occur at 22nd St. between 22nd and 23rd avenues. The Beachcomber will drop passengers off at the Jones Park Beach Bus Station. A van shuttle will be provided at the Jones Park Beach Bus Station to shuttle passengers to 22^nd St. and back. After 5:15 p.m. transfers will resume at the Gulfport Transit Center. 

Sunday, March 6
- D’Iberville North Bay Parade 1:30 p.m. Route 4, which serves D’Iberville, will not service the following areas between the hours of 12:15 p.m. and 5:25 p.m. Central Ave., Lemoyne Blvd., McCann Rd., Big Ridge Rd., Lamey Bridge Rd., and Auto Mall Parkway. The route will operate with service from the Biloxi Transit Center, up I-110 to the Sangani Blvd. and Promenade area on 45 minute intervals. 

Tuesday, March 8
- Mardi Gras is an observed holiday for CTA. The entire Fixed Route bus system will operate on a Sunday schedule, except route 24 Keesler, which will not operate at all. The CTA office will be closed on Tuesday March 8.  

- Biloxi’s GCCA/ Neptune Parades 1:00 p.m. The Biloxi Transit Center will be closed to bus service between the hours of 11:30 a.m. and 5:20 p.m. Route to route bus transfers will occur under the I-110 overpass on Diaz St. next to the IP Casino. The Casino Hoppers will not service the Beau Rivage or the Hard Rock Casinos during this time period. After 5:20 p.m. transfers will resume at the Biloxi Transit Center. 

Tuesday, March 8
- Gulfport’s Krewe of Gemini Night Parade 5:30 p.m.  The Gulfport Transit Center will be closed to bus service at 3:55 p.m. Route to route bus transfers will occur at 22nd St. between 22nd and 23rd avenues until service ends for the day. The Beachcomber will drop passengers off at the Jones Park Beach Bus Station. A van shuttle will be provided at the Jones Park Beach Bus Station to shuttle passengers to 22^nd St. and back. 

For additional information call 896-8080. 

“We Keep the Gulf Coast Rolling”

Press Release

February 18, 2011

Subject: CTA to Implement Fixed Route Improvements On February 20, 2011                

CTA will implement the latest program of improvements to the Fixed Route bus service on Sunday, February 20, 2011.  These changes to existing services are in response to comments we receive from our customers and the economy. Some of the changes are improvements to particular routes and some of the changes will be implemented to reduce operating costs.

Changes will be implemented to the following routes:RT4 D’Iberville, RT7 Ocean Springs, RT24 Keesler, RT31 Biloxi, RT37 Gulfport,   RT38 Gulfport, Beachcomber

The following routes will be terminated: 
D’Iberville Xpress – February 20, 2011
RT26 NCBC – February 7, 2011

For additional information call 896-8080.

“We Keep the Gulf Coast Rolling”

Route 4 D’Iberville
Current Mon – Sat 5:30am – 7:40pm
Change Mon – Sat 5:30am – 6:55pm
Current Sun 7:00am – 6:10pm
Change Sun 7:00am – 5:25pm

Route 7 Ocean Springs
Current Sat 7:00am – 8:20pm
Change Sat 8:30am – 8:20pm

D’Iberville Express
Current Fri & Sat 8:30am – 10:30pm only
Change – Total elimination of service.  Last day of service will be Feb. 19, 2011

Route 24 Keesler
Current Fri & Sat 9:30am – 9:24pm
Change Fri & Sat 10:30am – 9:24pm

Route 26 NCBC
Current Sat 9:20am – 8:12pm and Sun. 10:50am – 6:36pm only
Change – Total elimination of service. Last day of service will be Feb. 6, 2011

Route 31 Biloxi
Current Mon – Sat 5:30am – 7:40pm
Change Mon – Sat 5:30am – 6:55pm

Route 34 Biloxi
No Change

Route 37 Gulfport
Current Mon – Sat 5:40am – 6:55pm
Change Mon – Sat 5:30am – 6:55pm
Total change in time schedule. Route will run 10 minutes earlier than previously scheduled times.

Route 38 Gulfport
Currently  – (1) 90 minute route
Change – (2) 45 minute loops. This route will return to the Gulfport Transit Center every 45 minutes.
Blue Line will go to William Bell Apts.
Red Line will go to Ladnier Homes.
Total change in time schedule.

Beachcomber
Current – (3) Trolleys Mon thru Sat 4:53am – 9:11pm
 Sun 6:58am – 6:58pm
Change – (2) Trolleys Mon thru Sat 5:05am –8:49pm
Sun 6:35am – 6:34pm
Currently the route runs from the Palace Casino to the Long Beach Harbor.
Change – Route will run from Biloxi Transit Center to the Gulfport Transit Center. Total change in time schedule.

Casino Hopper
No Change