Red Rabbit service expanding next week

GAINESVILLE - Red Rabbit service is set to begin for Gainesville State College and Brenau University's East Campus Monday.

Officials with Hall Area Transit which operates the Red Rabbit Bus System, announced plans for expanded service last year following a series of public hearings on expanding the service.

Gainesville-Hall County Community Service Center Director, Phillippa Lewis Moss, said the expansion has been on the drawing board for three years and despite the economy, this is the time additional transit options are needed most.

"Many people in our community have lost their homes, cars, and jobs and are desperate to retool, learn new skills, and re-enter the job market. They need access to educational resources in our community and affordable transportation," said Moss. "Gainesville State College and Brenau University are so eager to have the transportation service they have agreed to pay the student's fare."

Gainesville State College President, Dr. Martha Nesbitt, said she's equally as excited to get the buses rolling.

"We at Gainesville State College applaud the Hall County Commission and Gainesville City Council for expanding their routes to include the institutions of higher learning in Gainesville and Hall County. Not only will this provide much needed public transportation for students to attend GSC, but also, it hopefully will help with congestion on the roads as well as limited parking on campus."

Gainesville State College will cover the Red Rabbit fare for each student that uses the new park-and-ride lot on Thurman Tanner Parkway and Brenau will do the same for students traveling from their main campus off of Prior Street to their new east campus at the Communiversity which houses their nursing program.

For more information about the expansion plans call Hall Area Transit Dispatch Office at 770-503-3333.