Newspaper Page Text
Transit system changing
From page one
$1.5 million of it coming from the
city and approximately $650,000 in
ridership revenue.
Lewis, who also serves on the
city’s planning commission, ‘says
the department was left with no
other option but to turn to its cus
tomers who support the system,
which he says doesn’t happen as
often as in most major transit sys
tems.
- “We haven’t had a rate increase
since 1991,” Lewis said. “The prob
lem we’ve had with transfersis that
they are usually lost, stolen or mis
placed. It cost approximately $5,500
to print these transfers. Many tran
it systems now are eliminating
transfers because they are hard to
monitor.”
The transfer-elimination plan is
the second of the department’s
three-phase restructuring plan. In
thefirst phase, routes werechanged.
In the next phase, routes will be
extended. The department hopes
to save approximately $400,000
with its plan, Lewis said.
“We expect a small percentage of
ridership to drop off with the re
structure,” said Lewis. “We've
looked at all other avenues and
determined this plan to be the most
harmless for our passengers. Our
ridership hasbeen quite steady over
DENZEL WASHIIIGT O]
: Q; -
;"
HE GOOT GAME
THE FATHER, THE SON Alt> THE HOly GAME
STARTS FRIDAY, NVIAY 1
AT SELECTED THEATRES
Spring Flea Market May 2
The Spring Flea Market is Saturday, May 2, from
9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Fort Gordon’s Engineer Field.
Spaces are $25, $35 and $45. Single spaces for E-4
and below are only sls with a limit of 2 per fam
ily. They are on sale during the following times:
Officers’ Club Grotto Room: Post Exchange: April
22-25, 29-30 (10 a.m. - 2 p.m.) May 2 any remain
ing spaces will be sold at the Flea Market. The
Flea Market is open to the public and sponsored
by WGAC. For more information or an applica
tion, call 771-1383 and leave a message.
FOCUS your news on this page. Fax your
news to (706) 724-6969 or mail to:
- - Augusta Focus ;
1143 Laney-Walker Bivd. =~
1 Augusta, GA 30901 ,
(ity/County Beat
Prblls TR & i
Publi very passenger
friendly when it comes to fares.”
byADr Dnv:ingamm
\ transporta
tion studies coordinator for the
University of North Carolina-Char
lotte, placed the APT among the
top 10 bus systems for its fares and
efficiency level, compared to sys
tems in other cities. According to
thestudy, Augusta’s fares are seven
cents below the national average.
Transit officials expected more of
a public outcry after the first round
of schedule modifications were en
acted approximately three months
ago, but it never materialized.
“The publicaccepted the changes
well. I believe they understand that
we're not trying to gorge the sys
tem,” Lewis said.
The department is proposing a
“30-day pass” for the frequent rider.
The pass would cost S2O and it is
hoped that it would make up for the
elimination of the 35-cent transfer.
The move must be approved by the
county commission and the public
gets to make its voice heard during
Monday’s hearing.
The APT'’s heaviest ridership
exists at Regency Mall, Augusta
Mall, East Augusta and Washing
ton Road, in that order. A major
attribute to the Washington Road
ridership is the Future Call
telemarketing firm located on
Stevens Creek Road, which has a
work force of approximately 125,
justifiable for a route extension.
According to Lewis, the depart
ment has doneits best to gauge and
satisfy public demand. If it gets
enough calls, it will try out a new
route to test the demand.
“We've done studies, phone polls
and surveys,” said Lewis. “We con
ducted one study recently at the
new Target Store after we've re
ceived calls suggesting we go there.
(We) extended our Sand Hill routes
toencompassthe Target Storeonce
in the morning and twice in the
afternoon.” However, the trial route
extension to Target was halted be
cause the level of ridership did not
support it, Lewis said. With the
completion of Augusta West Park
way, however, the trial route may
be resumed. Another route for
which the department received calls
ran along Morgan Road in
Hephzibah. A test route between
Fort Gordon and Augusta Mall was
plagued with logistical problems.
One of the ways of making ends
meet is through advertising. Re
cently, the Augusta Commission
approved athree-year contract with
an advertising firm and now some
of the APT’s long buses are com
pletely coated with “wrap advertis
ing” from institutions and busi
nesses. The recent University Hos-
Police shooting
From page one
not only would the careers of the
two officers be ruined (with them
facing the full measure of the law),
(§ /
A\,
-5 c\E 5500
SN = ’SAVE
W[\ s [ Wood
\’E J wiams Classics™
‘ : Interior Wood Stain
E: 3lt 1 A%,V oOoOD :O;riev«:‘irichcolon
wo°dscapes. ! > A)vCLA SR o} & -go:\sp?et:wojens
Exterior Latex 4. D!fi\ ' - V) in one day
Solid Stain > Y RRLLICTIER Lt $19.99 gal.
: E;c:al:;:tg resistance » l;‘% ""(Lfi‘ p ‘ i . ssge ;;e “
- Fast drying i S OR .‘, i B B Sale price e
- 8-year warranty 8 HOOLEXDTE (.:‘9." i\\\ :Q — 7 i:’n;;:lar f::ingst::’ b
19.49 gal. A s ! rethanes and Varnishes.
sSale price g 2 v USE S_,,T e ? o
WoodScapess woweent mu [ C r
E:.t_crior Semi-Transparent RESE VAT e winom WOOD FINISH
in o . o Y
$19.49 gal. sale price . % N MINWAX /
ALL THE ANSWERS QW b o =T ,
LTI T . o
“examas . 5
BE PREPARED
Select Spray Paints ...........coccovcrirnnccrssncrsscssennen 9% OFF
Werner® 6' Aluminum 5tep1adder.......................557.99
Wasp & HOME SPray..........ooevcrrrerssnnrrn $2.99
IMI 9'xl2’ Plastic Drop Cloth...........coecemusmsisissses. $1.99
R® MasKlNg TaPR .......ccovcciricunsmmssissinissmsssriisasisssnil B
Tele-Wash Deck Care 8ru5h.................ccc0cunn....53 OFF
Ny 42
; ~&__/
ALL SAVINGS ARE OFF REGULAR PRICES. Not responsible for typographical or artwork errors. Sherwin-Williams reserves the right to correct errors at point of purchase. © 1998 The Sherwin-Williams Company.
AUGUSTA - RICHMOND PtZ 3435 WR1GHT58Q0R0.......796-733-9405
Subsctibe to the Augusta Focus today. Call (706) 724-7855.
pital is an example.
mmtomnhthhpmm
convenient for riders, new bus shel
ters are being constructed along
theroutes with more lighting, waste
cans and telephones.
th.‘“l'honmbeingmlinw.:dby
advertising company we
receive a percentage of the adver
tising revenue,” Lewis said. The
department will also receive three
percent of the auto rental tax ap
proved by the commission earlier
this year.
Some 85 percent of the fleet is
handicapped accessible. “We hope
by the end of 1999 our whole fleet
will be handicapped accessible,”
During the third phase of its re
structuring plan, South Augusta is
the primary target. The system is
hoping for feedback from correspon
dence delivered to neighborhood
associations in the southern part of
the county, including those along
Highway 25, Morgan and Tobacco
Roads.
A plan for a radio-top system at
Regency Mall is also in the works.
According to Lewis, these plans are
driven by a need to increase service
rather than profits. “No transit sys
tem in America makes money. We
only want to make sure no money
we already have at our disposal is
lost,” he said. i
but the financial impact on the
city would be staggering. Rodney
King got millions from the city of
Los Angeles. If the wheel turns in
favor of the Davis family, the city
will have to pay dearly.
m ",:‘,.. P ! ,
. 5= . '; (4 -
[ OUTSIDE ¥ | |
', ;., - ) ..' s ] T
SALE ENDS MAY 31st |
P T
| WALL PAPER |
T e L e .
“Z'L x*-
A P T
W 5 dOVER 42,000
7t PATTERNS
Instock not available in 01l stores. Ceiling papers, lining papers and fabrics
found in sample books not included. Efi;daclomxs. Patlemsmay
vary by location. m
METM Briels
Woman escapes
from kidnapper
Friday, April 24, at approxi
mately 11:30 '%m. an Augusta
woman stated she was kidnapped
by a black male, driving a mid
sized black vehicle. The woman
stated she was ordered into the
vehicle while the suspect bran
dished a black handgun. The sus
pect drove around until about 6:20
a.m. the next morning when the
captive was able to break free at
the intersection of Conklin and
Magnolia Dr. The victim stated
the suspect shouted, “I've been
watching you,” as she fled. The
victim immediately ran to a pay
phone on Wrightsboro Rd. and
called 911. Richmond County In
vestigators were notified and the
victim was transported to Crimi
nal Investigation Department.
Woman, man claim
each was aggressor
Gabrielle Wilson, 35, complained
Saturday, April 25, that Stacey L.
McAfee slapped her in the face
during an argument. According to
reports, he then struck her on the
back ofthe head. Mr. McAfee, how
ever, stated that Ms. Wilson
slapped him when he stuck his
head in her car window. Officers
on the scene reported that Mr.
McAfee had been drinking heavily.
Neither of the two individuals had
any marks visible to the officers,
but both were advised on how to
take out a warrant.
About 12:10a.m. Saturday, April
25, Rosetta B. Hannah reported
that Dennis R. Scott k:iociked on
GUARANTEED LOW PRICES
FIND A LOWER WALLPAPER PRICE AND WE'LL MATCH ITI*
e DON'T FORGET TO PAINT THE CEILNG =
Classic 99° Ceiling Paint...SAVE $5.50 SALE PRICE $15.99
* - .
[ *Price guarantee applies to wallpaper sales only. Competitor's
ARI price must be verifioble.
4 RINTS
3 #
LLS s 2 i." tl
R
{
AUGUSTA FOCUS __ APRIL 30, 1998
M&Wow
reports by Christy Allen
the door of her Boykin Place resi--
dence. Mr. Scott stated that he:
wanted to talk to her. When Miss:
Hannah refused to let him in, she:
stated that Mr. Scott became very
upset. He began swearing at her, .
and moments later punched in her.
window. Mr. Scott fled before Rich- .
mond County authorities arrived. .
The estimated amount for win-:
dow damages was SIOO. Miss.’
Hannah was advised on how to:
take out a warrant. :
Woman struggles
with police officers :
Friday night, Richmond County:
authorities responded to a domes
tic dispute on Amsterdam Drive..
When officers arrived, they asked
Tanika Allen to leave. Tanika re-'
sponded by telling officers to be:
quiet. She then walked out and'
the door shut behind her. Accord
ing to reports, she began beating'
on the door. When the officer:
opened the door to tell Tanika to:
stop and leave the premises, she'
forced her way into the residence.-
When the officer told her she was.
under arrest and asked her to place.
her hands behind her back, she:
refused. When the officer tried to.
put the handcuffs on her, she!
pushed the officer and ran down
the hallway attempting to shut
herself in the bedroom. The of
ficer followed and attempted to
get her to put her hands behind
her back. She then began cursing,
kicking and punching the officer.
The officer was struck in the head,
scratched on the arms and his left
index finger was torn open during
the struggle. Tanika was finally
handcuffed and placed under ar
rest.
aih @ B
I SAVE $450
G ;
i i Classic 99°
Interior Flat Latex
(LASSICY) Eereyy ™
(AR g 3 pdTe] Sale price
VN e Similar Savings on Satin,
: and Semi-gloss.
GAVESSOO T
A-100° i= ;
Exterior Flat Latex b
SI’ZI’;;" uvlingx on Satin, LML/
and Gloss latex. R s i cioen
PR T
3A