2/20/24
ETrax Public Transportation Trending in Effingham County
In July 2023, Effingham County Public Transportation presented a new public transportation service called ETrax, a deviated route service. As a way to promote the new service, all rides for the month of July were free. Following the promotion, it was reported that 80 riders took advantage of the service’s free rides. Nearly six months into the program, ridership has steadily increased to 383 riders for the month of January. With this increase in ridership, the Transportation Committee for Effingham County Board have been discussing ways to improve the route making it more accessible and user friendly for county residents in the hopes to continue its growth.
ETrax is a deviated route that operates along an established route with designated stops in the city of Effingham. Between these designated stops, buses may deviate from the established route to pick up/drop off riders within a defined service area of 1/4 mile. Deviations must be pre-scheduled 24 hours in advance with a limit of 1 deviation per route completion. ETrax is a first come, first serve transportation service and ridership is limited to maximum bus capacity.
Hours of operation for ETrax are Monday through Friday 8am – 4pm (exception of holidays)
The cost is $1.00 per boarding. Tokens can be purchased for $1.00 each or 12 tokens for $10.00 and do not expire. Tokens may be purchased through a route driver or dispatch.
A monthly pass is $35.00 and a disability pass is $15.00. CEFS ECPT monthly passes are also honored for ETrax.
Route stops include:
- HSHS St. Anthony’s Health Center (W. Temple)
- Brookstone Estates
- Sarah Bush Bonutti Clinic
- TA Travel Center
- Walmart
- VA Clinic
- Lake Pointe Apartments
- Save-A-Lot
- Kirby’s IGA
- Effingham County Building
- HSHS St. Anthony’s Hospital (Maple St.)
To schedule a deviation call 1-855-755-2468. Dispatcher hours are 6am – 6pm.
