I am fortunate, I am able to drive a car to the grocery store for my groceries.  It wasn't always that easy, I use to live in apartment and while I could drive to the grocery store and home, I had to carry my grocery bags up three flights of stairs, locking and unlocking both my car and apartment door each time.  That STILL was easier than people who have to take a bus to the grocery store and wrestle with their grocery bags going home.  The DTA has a pilot program that just received an extension to determine if the program will cease or become a permanent options for some in the city.

The first Grocery Express route was on September 1 of 2015.   It runs every Tuesday and makes seven trips to and from the Super One store in West Duluth to the neighborhoods of Lincoln Park and Morgan Park.  DTA officials were hoping to see ridership increase by December and have decided that the program needs a bit more time for participants to develop using the service as habit.

What's different about this DTA bus?   It has special bins to hold grocery bags, how convenient is that?  The other difference (and this makes all the difference in the world when you're carrying heavy groceries) is, that the bus will drop people off and pick them up directly in front of the Super One store.  Eliminating the need to walk to the bus stop several blocks away.  The same fares and policies will apply as on the other DTA buses.

According to Heath Hickok, the Director of Marketing for the DTA, they would like to get over 100 passengers a week, maybe even in the 150-160 range and they've extended the date for their decision until June of 2016.  I hope it works out, it really is cutting edge.  There are only two of these programs in existence in the nation, Duluth and Michigan.

Info via:  nncnow.com

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