“Riding Big Blue is easy! And, public transportation on Big Blue is for everyone.”
On May 22, 2024, Rep Pledger, Transportation Manager of Blue Transport (aka Big Blue), explained to members of the Rotary Club of Marlin the uniqueness of this public transportation service. Special guests included Jay Butler, Blue Transport Service Administrative Assistant, Marlin High School Principal Ms. Myers Gardere, plus Rotary Youth Leadership Awards recipients and a grandparent. Addressing them and the Rotarian family of business owners, attorneys at law, school administrators, pastors, university students, insurance agents, bankers, retired educators, Falls County Judge, Marlin Mayor, and a Director of Human Resource, Mr. Pledger described, listened to questions, and detailed this safe, reliable, and friendly transit service. In turn, every Rotary Club of Marlin member, by identifying, supporting, and broadcasting (using all available resources) community services such as Big Blue, helps improve the quality of life for people in the community, serving the public interest.
Big Blue is powered by the Heart of Texas Council of Governments, a voluntary association of local governments.
Big Blue provides curb-to-curb service. “That means professional vehicle operators will pick you up from the curb of your residence and transport you to the curb of your destination,” Mr. Pledger described. Trips are reservation-based and must be made at least 24 hours in advance and are first come, first served, based on availability. “If someone’s appointment is, for example, at 9 a.m., the individual may have to be picked up at 7:30 a.m. to ensure he/she will meet that appointment, if someone else’s appointment is earlier but in the same direction. It works very well, and planning will get an individual to the destination.” Same-day trips are possible, depending on availability.
“$2 per trip makes riding with Big Blue easy and affordable,” all agreed. The fare structure is $1 for each one-way trip within the county one lives. For example, Mexia to Groesbeck would cost $1 for the one-way trip.
It costs $2 for each one-way trip within Big Blue’s local service area, that is Blue, Falls, Limestone, Freestone, Hill, and Bosque Counties, on Monday -through Friday. Service hours are from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. For Marlin residents, it is worthwhile to know Big Blue currently offers service to Waco.
Fare is due upon boarding the bus, and exact change is needed. Cash or a check are accepted.
Additionally, Big Blue offers trips from the rural areas into the long-distance service areas on various days through the week. Long distance service areas are Erath, Johnson, Ellis, Navarro, Henderson, Anderson, Leon, Robertson, Milam, Bell, Cornell, Hamilton, and McLellan Counties.
The Big Blue fleet is equipped with wheelchair lifts and/or ramps to ensure accessibility for everyone. One should make sure to inform the Blue Transit Call Center of specific mobility needs when booking an appointment so trained Blue Transit Operators can be ready to assist.
Here is how to book a trip. Plan the trip: Know where and when one needs to travel. 1) All trips are scheduled in advance from 24 hours up to 2 weeks. 2) Know the addresses of the destinations when placing the call. 3) When ready, call the Blue Transit dispatch office at 254-292-1873 to schedule a trip.
“We want to know your needs exactly so that we can provide the perfect solution. Let us know what you want and we’ll do our best to help,” supports Mr. Pledger.
Photograph: Blue Transit Transportation Manager Rep Pledger. Program
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