Published: July 30, 2008 08:07 am      

Bus route could link Richmond and Berea

Madison Judge-Executive Kent Clark is considering the possibility of providing a public transportation route between Richmond and Berea.

David Sowder, transportation director for Kentucky River Foothills, approached the Madison Fiscal Court on Tuesday with the idea.

“We’re going to probably try it out on a temporary basis and see if we can get people to participate,” Clark said. “If it works, then I think the court feels very comfortable in providing that kind of service for the people. I would think it would be a very valuable tool for people of Madison County to use.”

Magistrates agreed that it would be nice to be able to provide the service, but all voiced concerns with the cost.

A full-time bus route between Richmond and Berea would cost the court $57,525, Sowder said. The route would begin at 7 a.m. and run as late at 6 p.m.

Another possibility is having the transportation system available on a part-time basis.

When operating under part-time status, the bus would run from 7 to 9 a.m., noon to 2 p.m. and 5 to 7 p.m., Sowder said. This would cost the county $33,342.

The court may meet for a special work session to discuss the matter, Clark said.

“Technically, someone could come to the courthouse and go anywhere in Richmond,” he said. “They could come back (to the courthouse) and catch the bus to go back to Berea. It just opens up a great possibility to connect the two cities.”

In other business:

• Max Smith of LifeNet presented the court with information about providing county employees with a LifeNet card.

The LifeNet card is a product that allows the consumer to store and transport critical personal emergency medical data and history.

It is a wallet-sized flash drive card about the size of a credit card, with a reversible USB connector.

The connection is designed to fit any computer or laptop USB port, even upside down. It automatically opens and displays necessary information on Windows-based operating systems and is stored in standard formats accessible on any type of computer.

“The card is safe, simple and it’s secure,” Smith said. “It allows an individual to take control and actually manage their own health records.”

Having the LifeNet card would do more than just protect those who carry them, Smith said.

“It provides peace of mind for the employees’ families because they know that if something we to happen to them on the job, they would have the information with them,” he said.

Each card costs $69.95 plus shipping and handling when purchased individually, but buying them in bulk is more cost efficient, Smith said.

“I kind of like the concept,” Clark said.

No decision was made at Tuesday’s meeting, but Clark said it would be something the court would discuss at a later date.

• Michael Coyle was appointed to the Southern Madison Water Board.

• Amy Ferguson was hired as a permit technician for the county’s planning and zoning office.

Ronica Shannon can be reached at rshannon@richmondregister.com or 623-1669, Ext. 234.