ClasTran

ClasTran is a bus transit service that serves senior citizens, people with disabilities, and rural riders by prior reservation in Jefferson, Shleby and Walker counties.

The service is administrated by the Birmingham Regional Paratransit Consortium, a non-profit organization founded in 1997 and headquartered in the 2121 Building on Abraham Woods, Jr Boulevard North. The executive director is Fenn Church. ClasTran is subsidized by local governments and by federal matching funds applied for through the Metropolitan Planning Organization.

Clients using the service reserve a trip at least one day in advance and pay a subsidized fare. Trips for other users outside the BJCTA service area can be scheduled at higher (unsubsidized) rates.

Facing budget shortfalls, ClasTran has cut staff and reduced the number of daily routes available by reservation, trying to preserve those used by dialysis patients and those attending regular job skills programs. Routes to Hueytown, Morris, Mount Olive, Graysville/Adamsville, Warrior and Tarrant were cut in 2009.

Though more than 60% of ClasTran trips connect to Birmingham (234,922 trips in 2008), the city has never provided funding for the service.

References

• MacDonald, Ginny (June 3, 2009) "ClasTran plans to cut 21 routes by June 15." Birmingham News
• MacDonald, Ginny (June 11, 2009) "128 clients lose ClasTran service in Birmingham." Birmingham News