Baldwin County Public Transportation Popular But Costly

County officials are studying how rising fuel costs could affect ridership and expenses for the Baldwin Rural Transportation System. | image By Guy Busby via Gulf Coast Media

BALDWIN COUNTY, Ala. — Baldwin County officials are monitoring the rising number of people using the county’s transportation system as the cost of fuel increases, Gulf Coast Media reported. Baldwin County Commission Chairman Jeb Ball said more demand on the service could increase system expenses. "People are really taking advantage of our BRATS [Baldwin Rural Area Transportation Service] system, and I found out that the average cost, one way, was $3 to $5," he explained, adding, "I don’t think we can absorb this with the fuel costs rising, as well." BRATS Director Ann Simpson said the number of people using the system has been increasing for several months, and the service has been working to make the system more accessible to residents. As a result, the number of riders has gone up, having increased to approximately 350 a day. Simpson is checking fares with other transportation services in southern Alabama to see how BRATS rates compare to similar systems, and changes in rate structures are being considered.