Transit

Public Transportation

Public transportation is a vital part of the overall transportation system. The elderly, handicapped, low-income and others without automobiles rely on public transportation to get to work, school, shopping, and many other destinations. Transit systems must continually be evaluated and upgraded in order to adjust to changing needs of populations served by the system.

Transit System

Falls Ride is owned and operated by the City of Wichita Falls. Buses travel six routes that are distributed geographically across the City. Service to the general public is provided Monday through Saturday. The five routes operate from 5:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Saturday bus service is offered from 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. In addition to the regular routes, express service is offered between Sheppard Air Force Base and Sikes Senter Mall seven days a week. The Sheppard express service is not normally utilized by the general public because of the lack of pick-up and drop-off points along the route. The Connector, the newest route in our transit system, will serve to connect the new transfer station, at 4th and Broad, to Sikes Senter Mall. It will also make other designated stops, and it will serve from 5:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Saturdays. The goal of the transit system is to provide this service safely, efficiently, courteously, and in the most professional manner possible.

Limited Transportation Services

Four human service agencies also offer limited transportation services. These agencies include:

Midtown Manor, Inc.
Senior Citizens Services of North Texas Inc.
Wichita County Chapter of the American Red Cross
Wichita Falls MHMR Work Activity Center

Route Deviation

Route Deviation is a special “curb to curb” service available for eligible, certified mobility-impaired individuals. The system changed to route deviation from a fixed route system in January 1992 to comply with requirements in the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Although lower ridership numbers occurred because of the new route deviation system, a steady increase in ridership has since occurred. Currently, the system provides over 10,300 rides annually for the disabled. Buses will go off a scheduled route for a distance up to 1/4 mile to make pick-ups or drop-offs. Requests for route deviation must be prearranged through the transit dispatcher. A rider must contact the dispatcher 24 hours in advance to schedule a ride using the next-day service.