A Community on Wheels

Riders leave Link Transit bus at sunset.

As bus driver Marvin Paylor pulled up to halfway point of the Blue Line Loop, he gestured for the remaining passengers to join him outside. The sun was receding from Gibsonville and the neighborhood he’d stopped in was winding down for the night.

“I bet you these ladies are playing bingo,” Paylor said, walking over to the porch parallel to the bus. Three women’s faces lit up as Paylor waved hello.

“Now look who it is,” one woman cooed.

“Hello Marvin,” said another.

Minutes before stopping here Paylor recalled a former passenger telling him that Gibsonville was a community on wheels. He gushed about how they had included him in that community, calling this bus a “home away from home.”

Two kids biked up to the corner to observe. Paylor smiled at them.

Another man nodded at him as he rounded the corner to walk home.

Paylor’s connection to their community was apparent. The route back to Burlington was filled with stories from his three years at Link Transit and pleasantries with the regulars.

“A passenger, who is now deceased, told me when I started this job that Gibsonville is a community on wheels. When he said that he said everything.”
Marvin Paylor, Link Transit driver

“That part of a community would entail the joy, the sorrows, the ambitions, the laughter, the jokes, that you would find in a community setting, they brought it to this bus and included me into their community. It’s been true to this day”.
Marvin Paylor, Link Transit driver

Link buses wait for passengers.

Link bus heads to first stop.

LINK TRANSIT

Link Transit is a free public transportation service that offers five bus loops and a paratransit service weekdays from 5:30 a.m.to 8 p.m. The routes reach residential and commercial areas of Burlington, as well as parts of Gibsonville and the Alamance Community College campus. All routes conclude across from the amphitheater in downtown Burlington on South Worth Street. Quite fittingly, the bus stop is across from the train depot where the city of Burlington got its start as a transit station.

The system was launched on June 6, 2016, after years of feasibility surveys and planning. The city coordinated Amtrak and regional transportation to align with Burlington’s routes, based on the Concord system from the 90s. (City Council)

Similar structures exist in Gastonia and High Point and the Amtrak across from the transfer hub offers connections to Raleigh, Greensboro and Charlotte. Though the opportunity exists, those types of transfers are not always feasible for those who are looking for work. Out of five riders I talked to, all mentioned the small radius as one of the biggest downsides to Link. They also said the hours don't align with realistic shifts and make it hard to work.

In a city with a 20.5% poverty rate, public transit is essential. Spatial distribution of poverty and public transportation systems are often linked. Access to buses not only helps the poor, but helps to decentralize low-income populations. In Burlington it is a ride to work, healthcare, the store and home.

Link Transit informational sign.

Link Transit bus zooms by.

A passenger waits for his stop.

Karen Pritchett waits for the Green Line.

PANDEMIC RIDERSHIP

Every 90 minutes or so the transfer hub is populated with riders anticipating that blue and green fleet. If all goes well people load onto the buses and they’re off within a few minutes, enough to give the drivers a stretch or smoke break.

The coronavirus pandemic hit Link Transit hard. Ridership dropped by 30%, according to Andoh. Drivers took leaves of absences. Even with masks, the CDC advised against public transport. Now, they’ve started to regain some of the traction they had two years ago.

Vaccination rates helped to raise ridership again but the golden ticket was the elimination of bus fares. Through the Anti Recession Fiscal Assistance program Link Transit was awarded a 372,000 dollar federal grant. The money will go toward staying fare-free for at least five years, according to Interim Transit Manager John Andoh.

"It's an opportunity to increase ridership, remove a barrier for low-income residents who need to access quality of life," said Andoh.

Ridership seems to be steadily increasing, despite the threat of the Delta variant and ongoing COVID-19 cases. Since May, ridership has increased by 50% according to statistics provided by Andoh. On average, the buses saw 1,000 passengers a week in May. Now they are seeing 1,500 a week in September.

Green Line regular Karen Pritchett shares her thoughts on Link Transit

LOOKING AHEAD

Aside from five more years of fare-free, Link Transit has a few upcoming projects.

"In 2022 we hope to double our frequency in terms of rides available," said Andoh, "As well as build a maintenance center for our fleet."

Starting October 2, it is extending their hours to include Saturdays from 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and evenings during the week. The paratransit bus will continue to help those who need it during those times.

Bus driver welcomes passengers.