(SitNews) Ketchikan, Alaska - The Ketchikan Gateway Borough Transit Department has added five new 35’ Gillig diesel buses to its fleet. These buses were funded through a grant from Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities which serves as the pass-through entity for Federal Transit Administration Funds. This bus acquisition is the largest single procurement of buses the Borough has made in the history of transit service in Ketchikan.

The new buses have exciting new customer facing technology upgrades which include Infotainment screens and upgraded mobility device securement now, and soon-to-be-launched auto annunciation of stops and stop requests. These improved systems support individuals with visual, hearing, or mobility challenges, as well as riders that are unfamiliar with Ketchikan and the transit system. The new technologies will also enhance safety, improve customer service, and save money by reducing required driver training time.  

These buses will play an important role in increasing seasonal frequency and capacity to routes for Borough residents and visitors. This includes 30-minute frequency on routes outside of the City and up to 10-minute frequency during peak hours in the downtown area. This added frequency and capacity will support Borough initiatives including access to affordable housing, workforce housing, economic development, and tourism.

Though the buses provide the equipment necessary to carry out these initiatives the department has a critical need for CDL drivers to implement this service. The Borough is currently recruiting for CDL drivers, and for anyone interested in becoming a driver the Borough, in partnership with UAA and the State of Alaska, has developed a Driver/ELDT training that will be available in March. 




On the Web:

KGB Job Opportunities
https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/kgbak

Source of News:

Ketchikan Gateway Borough
www.kgbak.gov

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