Roughly half of the people who stopped by the County of Lackawanna Transit System information tent Monday knew the agency is preparing to implement a new route structure for its buses.
Over the next two weeks, COLTS hopes to move that figure closer to 100 percent.
With the revamped routes taking effect July 2, COLTS representatives set up shop at the bus hub on the 100 block of Wyoming Avenue and will be there through the first week of July to hand out the new schedules and maps, answer questions and make sure the riding public is ready for the transition.
"People really are interested in what the changes are and how it is going to affect them," COLTS spokeswoman Gretchen Wintermantel said. "We want everyone to be prepared and have the new schedules in hand for July 2. That's the reason for being here well in advance."
The restructuring is the first comprehensive overhaul of COLTS' routes and schedules since the mid-1990s.
Although only one route will disappear completely - the North Pocono/Daleville service is being scrapped because of poor ridership - at least four others have been curtailed. At the same time, several routes have been expanded to include more hours, additional stops or both.
All of the new schedules and maps are available on the COLTS website, www.coltsbus.com.
Regular COLTS rider Pat Warning came away from the information tent with a fat stack of route schedules. Ms. Warning, who lives in downtown Scranton, does not own a car and relies on COLTS to get around, riding the bus at least three or four times a week.
She was pleased to see there will still be service to the Viewmont Mall and excited that buses will be running more frequently to Taylor Commons, where she likes to shop at Wal-Mart.
"It's the convenience," Ms. Warning said. "This is the way to go."
COLTS launched its public education effort last month, with agency officials visiting senior centers and high-rises, and public housing projects to explain the new routes.
Ms. Wintermantel said she was somewhat surprised that only about 50 percent of the riders who stopped to pick up new schedules were aware of the pending restructuring.
"We have had fliers on our buses that said the changes were coming, so it's not for lack of trying," she said. "But it's hard sometimes to get the word out."
Ms. Wintermantel said the tent on Wyoming Avenue will be staffed Monday through Saturday until June 30, and then on July 2, July 3, July 5 and July 6, operating each day from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. COLTS buses will not run on Independence Day.
Contact the writer: dsingleton@ timesshamrock.com