Buses will travle Middle Urbana Road, then make a loop through Northridge on Sierra Avenue, Ridgewood Road, Westmont Drive, Security Drive and Moorefield Road before heading back south.
General Operations Manager Michelle Taber points out that will provide service to medical offices in that area, Kenton Ridge High School and elderly housing and comes in response to a lot of requests to serve Northridge.
Standard SCAT fares are 75 cents and riding to Northridge will cost an additional 25 cents. Dial-a-Ride and paratransit service also will go to Northridge.
Taber adds the route is a trial basis to see if there are enough riders to absorb any costs of the expansion.
SCAT also will begin serving the new downtown hospital on Monday via its Upper Valley Mall route in anticipation of it opening later this year.
That bus currently uses Fountain Avenue both inbound and outbound, but instead will use North and Plum streets out to the mall and Fountain Avenue on the way back. During construction on North Street, though, buses will use Main Street.
SCAT also is creating a 30-day pass that will cost $55 for standard fares, $50 for students and $25 for those who qualify for reduced fares such as the elderly.
Springfield City Commissioner Kevin O’Neill says the expansions also could be a first step to considering even wider routes, including a countywide service.
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