The Cadillac/Wexford Transit Authority opened its new Regional Bus Transfer Center in Buckley today.

The Cadillac News has the story:

"The Buckley transfer center idea sprouted from the Grand Vision study in early 2008. People surveyed were concerned that Wexford County didn’t provide public transportation between county lines, according to Vance Edwards, manager of CWTA. "Our communities are contiguous – we shouldn’t stop at a line and not take people where they need to go," Edwards said.

"The CWTA makes catching a bus simple. People who live in the Buckley, Cadillac, Manton and Mesick areas call CWTA dispatch for "on demand" service, meaning a bus will pick them up at their door anytime between 5 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. People outside of those areas, such as Harrietta, Boon and Hoxeyville, can catch the bus at designated hours.

"For example, if you live in Wexford County and want to go to Munson Medical Center, call the CWTA dispatch and set up a pick-up time. Take the bus to the Buckley Regional Bus Transfer Center, where you’d have about 10 minutes to stretch your legs, use the bathroom or grab something to eat or drink. Then hop on a bus to downtown Traverse City. Once in Traverse City, you’d get on a Bay Area Transportation Authority (BATA) bus that’s destined for the hospital. If you plan to go to Benzie County, for example, switch to a bus headed to Benzie at the Traverse City transportation center."

For more on the transfer center, including fares, click here.

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Photo: S3000083 by tiny leviathan.