ETCOG Receives $45K in Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental Funding
October 5, 2021
GOBUS
GoBus Partners to Provide Transport of Vaccination Supplies and Health Care Workers
We are pleased to announce that our Public Safety
division successfully submitted a grant application through the Governor's Office for Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental Funding. The approved grant will reimburse ETCOG $45,021.48 for COVID-19 expenses incurred through a vaccination clinic support partnership.
In May 2021, ETCOG's public transit system, GoBus, began transporting vaccination supplies and staff members to five counties in our region. GoBus partnered with the Northeast Texas Public Health District (NET Health) to transport COVID-19 vaccines and trained nursing staff to rural areas of East Texas to reach communities affected by the coronavirus. The staff offered transport six days each week to Van Zandt, Anderson, Henderson, Rains, and Wood counties from the NET Health headquarters in Tyler and returned staff each evening. By doing this, NET Health nursing staff provided vital information, protective gear, and vaccinations to the vulnerable populations of these rural communities.
ETCOG is proud to partner with NET Health and aid in preventing the spread of COVID-19 in East Texas.
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Exciting news for Anderson County residents! GoBus’ new on-demand microtransit service, GoNOW, has completed its first month of operation in Palestine—and the results are in! In its first 30 days, GoNOW provided approximately 400 trips, averaging 20 rides per day, helping to increase overall ridership in Anderson County by 25%. This strong demand highlights the community’s need for flexible, on-demand transportation. Launched on March 1, GoNOW makes getting around easier than ever. Like Uber, riders can request a trip through a mobile app or by phone, ensuring quick pickups, shorter wait times, and the trusted reliability of GoBus. For just $2 per trip, GoNOW operates Monday through Friday, 7 AM - 3 PM, covering a 10-square-mile area in Palestine. Seniors may qualify for sponsored trips, and as always, veterans and active military ride free. The easiest way to ride? Download the GoBus app! Using GoNOW is simple: 📲 Download the app (App Store for iOS or Google Play for Android) 📞 Call our office at 903-218-6450 to register an account ✉️ Sign up with your designated email address and chosen password 🚗 Click "Book a New Trip" and get moving! With a successful first month behind us, GoBus looks forward to continuing to provide this convenient service to Palestine residents. If you haven’t tried GoNOW yet, now is the perfect time! For more information, call 903-218-6450.
The East Texas Council of Governments (ETCOG) and GoBus will host a Hiring Event for public transit driver positions on Thursday, March 27. GoBus is ETCOG's rural, demand-response public transit system, with approximately 75 vehicles, making around 500 trips a day, five days a week, throughout 14 counties in East Texas. We are working with Compunnel Staffing to hire local and regional public transit drivers for full-time and part-time positions. The hiring event will take place from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Workforce Solutions East Texas, located at 4100 Troup Highway, Tyler, TX 75703. "We’re excited to return to Tyler for this event, which continues to be a great success year after year. We truly appreciate our partnership with Workforce Solutions East Texas for hosting and supporting this job fair. It’s a perfect opportunity for job seekers to connect with our GoBus team, learn more about our services, ask questions, and even be considered for an on-site interview," said ETCOG Assistant Executive Director Brandy Brannon. "GoBus is integral to the region and its communities, providing connectivity, fostering economic activity, and ensuring safe, reliable, and friendly transportation services. GoBus staff are dedicated and caring individuals representing the core of East Texans. In seeking new team members, we hope to present a culture that prioritizes the community and those who work to aid its citizens," said ETCOG's Director of Transportation, Vince Huerta. "We welcome new individuals with support through an open door policy, competitive pay, and plenty of growth opportunities. We are excited to build upon the amazing GoBus family!" Positions are available to serve in Anderson, Camp, Cherokee, Gregg, Harrison, Henderson, Marion, Panola, Rains, Rusk, Smith, Upshur, Van Zandt, and Wood counties. ETCOG is seeking applicants with a high school diploma or equivalent and a minimum of two years of professional driving and customer service experience. A CDL is preferred but not required.
Exciting news for Anderson County residents! GoBus is expanding its services with GoNOW, an innovative microtransit pilot program launching on March 1 in Palestine, Texas. GoNOW brings flexible, on-demand transportation to the community, making it easier than ever to get where you need to go. Like Uber, riders can request a trip through a mobile app or by phone, ensuring quick pickups, shorter wait times, and the trusted reliability of GoBus. For just $2 per trip, GoNOW will operate Monday through Friday, 7 AM - 3 PM, covering a 10-square-mile area in Palestine. Seniors may qualify for sponsored trips, and as always, veterans and active military ride free. Stay tuned for more details on how to ride with GoNOW and experience the future of public transit in East Texas! This is a demonstration project funded by the Texas Department of Transportation. For more information, visit www.gobustransit.com or call 903-218-6450.
