Public Meetings Canceled and COVID-19 Precautions
March 16, 2020
GOBUS
GoBus began a public meeting circuit in March to discuss services available and pending service enhancements to increase customer satisfaction. Public meetings have been held in seven of our counties, but to prevent the spread of COVID-19, we are canceling the public meetings listed below through April 9th. We apologize for the inconvenience and will resume or reschedule when it is safe to do so.
- March 20, 2020, at the Mineola Memorial Library in Mineola
- March 20, 2020, at the Rains County Library in Emory
- March 24, 2020, at the Lillie Russell Memorial Library in Lindale
- March 26, 2020, at the Van Zandt County Sarah Norman Library in Canton
- March 26, 2020, at the Athens Economic Development Corporation in Athens
- April 9, 2020, at the Palestine Public Library in Palestine
- April 9, 2020, at the Jacksonville Public Library in Jacksonville
ETCOG and GoBus would like to ensure our partners of the increased measures we have implemented to supplement the more common steps individuals can take to protect from the virus.
“We are monitoring the CDC and the North East Texas Public Health District for updates and recommendations and can confirm to you that our team is doing everything possible to maintain a clean, safe environment for our clients and staff,” said GoBus Assistant Director, Baylea Evans.
GoBus has adopted preventive practices from the American Public Transportation Authority (APTA) Guide for Public Transportation Pandemic Planning and Response (NCHRP, 2013) and will continue to make any necessary changes recommended by the CDC:
- GoBus Management has required drivers to wash hands as frequently as possible and utilize hand sanitizer when soap and water are not readily available.
- GoBus Vehicle Operators have been encouraged to wear gloves when necessary.
- Vehicles are sprayed with an EPA certified disinfectant twice daily (mid-day and end-of-day), paying close attention to handrails, armrests and seat backs.
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The East Texas Council of Governments (ETCOG) has received a $175,000 grant from the Texas Veterans Commission to continue transportation services for veterans through its rural transit district, GoBus. The funding is part of more than $3.3 million in Texas Veterans Commission grants awarded this month to 13 veteran-service organizations across East Texas. Statewide, the commission awarded $40.8 million to organizations helping veterans and their families access critical services. For many veterans in rural East Texas, reliable transportation can be a barrier to medical appointments, employment, education, grocery stores, social service programs, and other essential destinations. The grant will help GoBus continue providing transportation options that support veterans’ independence and connection to the services they need. “We are grateful to the Texas Veterans Commission for investing in transportation access for veterans in our region,” said ETCOG’s Transportation Director, Vince Huerta. “Through GoBus, we can help reduce the transportation barriers that too often stand between veterans and essential health care, employment opportunities and community resources. With this grant, we are proud to offer free trips for veterans and active service members, their spouses and dependents.” GoBus provides public transportation across East Texas, helping residents in rural communities travel safely and affordably where transportation options may otherwise be limited. Every single vehicle in our fleet is ADA compliant and ready to serve passengers with mobility challenges, disabilities, or special needs. The Texas Veterans Commission’s Fund for Veterans’ Assistance supports organizations that provide direct assistance to veterans, their families and surviving spouses. Grant funding helps address service gaps in areas such as transportation, housing, financial assistance, legal services, and other supportive programs. Veterans who need transportation assistance are encouraged to contact GoBus to learn about available services, eligibility requirements, and how to schedule a trip. For more information about GoBus, visit www.gobustransit.com or call 903-215-8870.
ETCOG has completed a major fleet replacement for its GoBus rural transit system, with approximately $1.5 million in funding used to purchase and receive multiple new vehicles now ready to serve communities across East Texas. The funding was part of a broader initiative led by TxDOT in late 2024 to secure federal support for rural transit agencies across Texas. That effort brought in more than $26 million in federal funding statewide to address critical fleet replacement needs and help rural systems replace aging vehicles more quickly than would normally be possible. Under typical annual funding levels, most rural transit agencies are only able to replace one to two vehicles per year. This investment gave ETCOG the opportunity to replace several GoBus vehicles that had significantly exceeded their useful life, strengthening the system’s ability to provide safe, dependable transportation for the people who rely on it every day. The new vehicles will help improve safety, reliability, and service continuity for rural residents who depend on GoBus for essential trips such as medical appointments, work, shopping, and other daily needs. With the buses now received, ETCOG is better positioned to maintain consistent service and reduce the risk of disruptions caused by aging equipment. “This funding allows us to continue delivering on our mission of providing safe, reliable, and friendly transportation to the communities we serve,” said Vince Huerta, Director of Transportation. “It ensures we can maintain the level of service our riders depend on every day.” This fleet replacement reflects a meaningful investment in rural public transportation and in the East Texans who count on GoBus to stay connected to essential services and opportunities.
Improving mobility is an ongoing objective for persons living, working, or visiting the East Texas region. As the lead agency for our region, the East Texas Council of Governments (ETCOG) is working with the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) and a consultant team to prepare an update of the Regional Public Transportation Coordination Plan for Anderson, Camp, Cherokee, Gregg, Harrison, Henderson, Marion, Panola, Rains, Rusk, Smith, Upshur, Van Zandt, and Wood counties. The 2026 Plan seeks to identify practical strategies for improving the day-to-day mobility of all residents of the region, but especially older adults, persons with disabilities, low-income individuals, zero-car households, area youth, persons with limited English proficiency, veterans, clients of workforce agencies, and employment/job seekers. It will include a variety of public participation opportunities including a bilingual (Spanish/English) project webpage, community survey, and focus groups with members of the target populations listed above. We will also conduct surveys of stakeholders and transportation providers to gain additional insight into the transportation needs and resources available to the region. While public transportation plays a significant role in regional mobility, it is far from the only transportation provider. As such, we will be reaching out to many organizations that provide transportation services or support for transportation to gain a comprehensive understanding of the mobility resources available within East Texas communities. All residents are encouraged to take the community survey by clicking here . If you are interested in participating in a focus group, you’ll have the opportunity to let us know at the end of the survey. If you are an organization that serves any of the target populations listed above, have not received a stakeholder survey, and would like to complete a stakeholder survey and/or receive materials to distribute to those you serve, click here to send us your request . Make sure you include your email address so we can respond.
