Baton Rouge transportation organizations have seen changes in recent months, with an increase in student riders on the LA Swift bus, trolley and game day services provided by the Capital Area Transit System — which is still facing a shortage of funds for 2012.
CATS narrowly avoided closing down this year, but the transit system is still staring down the barrel of a $2.1 million deficit for 2012.
Brian Marshall, CATS CEO, said in November there were two different funding sources — one state and one federal — but the money “dried up” in 2011 and will definitely not be a part of the 2012 budget.
With $500,000 granted from the East Baton Rouge Parish Mortgage Finance Authority and another $500,000 matched from the state Office of Community Development, CATS was able to keep its buses going this year.
Despite the monetary difficulties, CATS offered a shuttle between downtown Baton Rouge and Tiger Stadium this fall for the second year.
The Touchdown Express cost $1.75 each way, but locals and visitors who brought a receipt from any downtown restaurant or bar to the pick-up point were be treated to a free round trip pass to the game.
Vanisia Winston, community development manager for CATS, said in September the service could be offered free of charge because of federal funding allocated for this type of service.
“Transit is a tool that pushes economic development,” Winston said. “We have a new generation of transit personnel who are pushing toward a positive direction. We can help LSU as much as LSU can help games.”
In addition to the CATS developments, LA Swift, a bus service managed by the Louisiana Department of Transportation, has benefited more University students since the service began in 2005. Approximately 21 percent of riders are enrolled in the University.
Meri Monsour, account executive for LA Swift, said in September she believes the bus is popular with students because it is affordable, convenient and comfortable.
“The fares are much more reasonable than filling up a gas tank, plus the cost of wear and tear on a car,” Monsour said. “As a freshman, I didn’t even have a car and this is much easier than asking for a