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Frightened passengers call for help with Davenport’s CitiBus

Frightened passengers say that Davenport CitiBus problems start when school dismisses.

Frightened passengers say that Davenport CitiBus problems start when school dismisses.

Davenport students can ride for free.

But overcrowding is leading to fights and safety issues.

It's why regular passenger Donald Stevens is asking for help from City Hall.

"They do not have the right to belittle, disrespect, harass, curse at or threaten any of our drivers or other passengers," he said.

Fifth Ward Alderman Barney Barnhill is joining other city officials to call for changes.

"Ridership is down," he said.  "The last thing we need is a bunch of little thugs that are riding free and terrorizing our paying customers."

Buses move like clockwork at the Ground Transportation Center on Wednesday, April 8, 2015.  But recent reports detail the dilemma.

Passenger Frances Anderson recently watched 36 students board her bus, then refuse to let her exit.

"I got scared," she said.  "I will not ride with those kids."

Some problems stem from Davenport now managing its own bus service.

There are labor and financial constraints that add to the woes for hiring and retaining drivers.

"We need their experience," said Public Works Director Mike Clarke.  "We need that thousand years of experience that our drivers have collectively."

Davenport plans to meet with school officials in coming days to tackle the most visible problems.

"They're arguing and fighting with other passengers," Stevens said.  "You have lewd, disrespectful comments that are being made."

Davenport is in the midst of a transit study  that should be completed by September.

"These disruptive punks, adults, whatever they are, we're not going to tolerate it," said Davenport Mayor Bill Gluba.  "They're gone. They're off this bus."

 

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