Bowling Green residents have access to a demand-response transportation system, but many aren’t aware of it.

The B.G. Transit is a transportation system funded by the City of Bowling Green and a government grant. Bowling Green residents can call B.G. Transit for rides anwhere in the corporation limits of the city.

But B.G. Transit is different from other transportation services in town. Those who use the service are asked to call at least an hour in advance and to leave a half an hour window for the service to arrive.

“It’s unbelievably efficient. It’s not a taxi, it’s like a bus. You can’t depend on it the last minute and expect it to be there in 15 minutes. That’s just how it operates,” said Scott Potter, the general manager. Potter said they have an on-time rate of 98 percent.

The service operates based on consumer phone calls, Tina Bradley, the grants administrator, said. The vehicles do not run on a set schedule.

Rides cost $3.50 or $1.75 with a transit card. However, the cards are only available for people 65 years or older, disabled persons and children ages 4-13, Bradley said.

Transit cards are available in the Grants office at the city administration building.

Many students do not know about this service or often get it confused with other, on-campus transportation services.

Dominique Perry, a junior who resides off-campus, said that she had never heard about it before but would consider using it.

“I don’t think I’d have a problem with it and $3.50 is not bad at all. I would use it if I really needed a ride. If students could get a transit card I’d probably use it more. I’d save money on gas,” Perry said.

Because the service is funded by the government, B.G. Transit managers do not have the lateral to mandate student specials, Potter said. Yet, students do use the transit.

“We do have students using the transit service. I don’t know the exact number. But a lot of students don’t know about the transit who would probably benefit from it,” Bradley said.

While most students hear about the transit through others, the managers are doing advertisement.

“Vans are lettered now with the name and address on it,” Potter said.

The service is available Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. It is closed on Sundays and holidays.

Students can contact B.G. Transit at (800) 579-4299.