GRAND ISLAND, Nebraska (KSNB) – On March 31, people in rural areas of Hall County had to find other ways to get around instead of using public transportation. This happened after Crane Transportation stopped operating in these areas due to financial issues. However, the county has now found a solution to people’s transportation needs.

The ride costs customers just two dollars each way and can be paid for with cash, check or credit card.

Bob McFarland, Hall County’s rural transportation manager, said the earliest pickup time will be 7 a.m. and the last drop-off will be 5:30 p.m. each evening.

McFarland said the service means a lot to the people who use it frequently.

“The people who use it regularly value the service so much that they couldn’t live without it,” McFarland said. “We take people to work, pick them up and take them home again. We take people to doctor’s appointments, to the grocery store, we take them to friends’ houses so they can visit their friends.”

McFarland said there are already people signing up for rides.

“We have a few appointments booked for Monday. I think it will take a while for people to learn about the service and get used to it again after not having it for four months. But we expect it to grow quite quickly,” McFarland said.

Mcfarland said the new service will bring new faces.

“There’s been a change in personnel, we have our own dispatchers, we have our own operations manager, there’s been a change in drivers, we’ve done driver training, a whole lot has been done to prepare for this,” Mcfarland said.

McFarland said reservations for the rides must be made 24 hours in advance. For more information or to book a ride, call 308-385-5083.

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