Multiple agencies are coming together to look at assisting the public with transportation needs.
NET Trans officially announced March 1 that general public services in urbanized areas of Bristol, Kingsport and Johnson City would no longer occur effective Saturday, April 1. However, NET Trans would continue to be the transportation provider of rural areas.
Calls from concerned citizens were fielded by the Elizabethton Star due to Elizabethton, which classifies under the urbanized area of Johnson City, would no longer have NET Trans available for transportation purposes. Hampton will also no longer receive services for urbanized travel.
NET Trans is a program offered through the First Tennessee Human Resource Agency (FTHRA). Carter County Mayor Leon Humphrey, who serves on the organization’s board along with other mayors from Carter, Greene, Hancock, Hawkins, Johnson, Sullivan, Unicoi and Washington, said talks are already underway to address the issue. State Senator Rusty Crowe and State House Rep. David Hawk also serve on the board.
“I know Jason Cody (executive director for the FTHRA) and NET Trans Deputy Director Candace Gump have been working together with the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) and Johnson City MPO (Johnson City Municipal Planning Organization) to see if we can come up with a plan to address transportation.”
Due to funding being pulled for urbanized transportation, Humphrey added that all parties involved are coming together to formulate a plan to help the citizens of Northeast Tennessee.
“This affects Carter County, just like it affects Johnson City, Bristol and Kingsport,” he said. “Each of the mayor’s part of the Resource Agency understands the service NET Trans provides and have been looking at ways to help the public.”
Humphrey added that more information on NET Trans could be expected by the end of next week.
“My goal, along with the all other mayors, is to come up with a goal to make sure the needs of the public are being met,” Humphrey said. “NET Trans provides such an important service throughout the entire region.”
Residents looking at possible transportation options are encouraged to call Johnson City Transit, which covers the Carter County region, at (423) 929-7119. Individuals can also contract NET Trans at (423) 461-8200.
Other possible transportation options for community members include local tax services, including Doe River Taxi, and Uber — which recently started serving Northeast Tennessee.