CCRTA Brings More Innovation to Their Fixed Route Operational Practices

The Corpus Christi Regional Transportation Authority is opting to explore the less traditional side of public transportation with a forward thinking and innovative shift, continually aligning passenger load to vehicle capacity beginning on Monday, Jan. 15. The CCRTA is beginning with three routes and exchanging the traditional larger buses for new shuttle-sized vehicles.

Larger buses work well with densely populated communities and condensed business sectors, however the Coastal Bend Region is unique because of its long and linear designation of both businesses and homes. By using the scaled down buses, they offer more versatility to traverse through narrow streets.

“The importance is that transportation, like all industries, needs to continue learning and improving to fit the needs of the people it serves or it falls behind in meeting those needs,” said Jorge Cruz-Aedo, CEO.

The shuttle-sized buses will add various benefits to the community and are able to better navigate within heavy traffic flow. The low floor design is similar to a family sized vehicle making it an ideal choice for pleasure or business needs.

“All agencies, regardless of size, must take into account the vehicle capacity in terms of its efficiency,” said Jennifer Fehribach, managing director of operations. “This is transit working smart to transform the landscape of our industry with real-time alignment of passenger load to vehicle size.”

The routes that will be affected are:

• Route 12 (Hillcrest/Baldwin),
• Route 16 (Morgan),
• Route 56 (Flour Bluff Downtown Express).

“In addition, the smaller vehicles allow for more flexibility for approach and departure angles, thus giving the buses more clearance to enter steeper parking lots, traffic lanes and overall more accessibility options for our customers,” said director of maintenance, Bryan Garner.

The CCRTA is always looking for ways to improve services to the community. The goal of the CCRTA is to constantly drive forward in terms of innovation and services.