TRU-G Spreading the Word On Fast-Approaching Bus Changes

The Transit Riders United of Greenbelt (TRU-G) held a meeting on Wednesday night at the to strategize the best ways to prepare for the upcoming  to Greenbelt's bus service. 

TRU-G has been working with both Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) and county officials to correctly inform people of the changes on Dec. 20.

"Our posture at the moment is to inform the community about the changes and make people aware that on Dec. 20 transit options will be different," TRU-G member Melissa Ehrenreich said.

The members of TRU-G are working together to find ways to spread the news of the bus service alterations. The city is printing brochures, which they plan to distribute both before and after the changes take place. TRU-G is also going to organize at bus stops to speak directly with transit riders. In addition, the group wants plan to communicate with various media sources to further prepare riders.

Though TRU-G is working with WMATA and officials from the Prince Georges system , they don't believe information about the changes isn't being spread thoroughly.

"We want to know when will notices and information be available on the buses. They have information on their website but what about the people who don't visit their website often?" TRU-G member Fred Edwords said.

They also hope by Dec. 20 all eliminated stops are down so riders won't be waiting at unused stops. TRU-G said they assume on the day the changes, bus drivers might not be as helpful in directing and assisting Greenbelt transit riders.

TRU-G member Michael Thompson said, "Some bus drivers might not be able to inform riders about changes because they won't know them".

All group members agree the most valuable information they can give transit riders is the timetables for the new bus routes which include new stop locations and bus times.  The county bus system released this information on Nov. 30, but WMATA still hasn't released their new timetables yet, which they say will be available Dec. 6.

However, some members think that even the timetables will still have riders confused.

"The real question is on Dec. 20 will people realize the times and locations may have changed for their buses and will they know what to do?" TRU-G member Matt Johnson said.

On the official changes day, TRU-G members plan to be organized at certain locations such as: Beltway Plaza, Greenway Shopping Center, University Square Apartments, Doctor's Hospital, NASA, New Carrolton Metro Station and various Greenbelt schools.