Nome’s Tribal Transit has been bringing the citizens of Nome free public transportation since late May. The bus service is free for anyone interested in getting around town.
The bus runs two routes a day: from 9-ll am and 1-3 pm. It also makes 4:35pm and 5:05pm pick-ups from the Norton Sound Regional Hospital.
Warren Little is a driver for Nome Tribal Transit. He says the secret to running a successful bus service is timeliness. “I know I have a schedule to keep,” says Little, “especially during the daytime. And I have to be timely to the bus stops. The only thing I ask is that the passengers try to be timely for me, also.”
KNOM rode along with Little during the 5 o’clock run starting from the hospital. He says that in addition to driving for Nome Tribal Transit, he has also helped run the logistics of running the route. He’s increased the route from 8 stops to 21 stops. 18 of those stops are in town. Three of them are outside the downtown area along the Beltz Highway.
The stops added to the route aim to achieve balance between frequency and convenient locations. And a few people have started to notice. Little reports that people are catching on. He says, “Normally, I get a few more each week.”
As far as what Little wants people to know most: “I just want people to ask questions. If people see this white bus — it says, ‘public transit’ on it — flag me down. I’ll be glad to answer their questions and give them a schedule.”
Full schedules for all routes can be found at the Nome Eskimo Community website.
