Lack of drivers forcing CityLink to suspend certain services in Abilene

ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) – CityLink Abilene, the local transportation system, is pulling back on its Paratransit access due to driver shortages. The transit system seeing a loss in drivers all for different reasons, leaving the bus system to suffer from the staff loss.

The Paratransit system is targeted towards residents with disabilities or mental illness in a further mile radius from the fixed routes. With 11 drivers missing from the current operation, Don Green, the Director of Transportation for Abilene, says they were feeling the stress of low staffing and had to make a tough decision.

“We run into a situation where the system is super stressed, and that’s where we have to cut the service, reduce services, or cut it completely,” Green said. “It is heartbreaking because those people do rely on CityLink to get to those basic services that they need in town, medical appointments and grocery store, and such.”

The transportation system now only serves the fixed route areas, or B1, leaving out a .75-mile radius around it, or B2. Carmen Deleon, a frequent rider of CityLink, told KTAB/KRBC she has seen the impact of the decreased access on her peers.

“I’ve actually seen people that,  you know, they have mental illnesses just as well as I do.  It’s become very depressive,” Deleon said. “Something needs to happen to totally get more assistance in that  too so that they can get more mileage around the city or people do not have to worry.”

Deleon said not only is City Link accessible for the residents but also the most affordable, especially for longer trips across town.

“Taxi cabs or 20, 25 dollars just from, [south] Buffalo Wild Wings area, to get to South Hendricks. It’s going to be $25 just one way, and the way back is another 25, so it’s very expensive and it’s unrealistic,” Deleon expressed.

With starting pay ranging from $14.66 to $15.70, CityLink is working to fill the voids already having some drivers in training and removing the CDL requirement for the paratransit positions. They hope to go back to servicing the full community, once they have a full staff. They are still in need of 8 drivers.

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