Volusia County, FL - Due to Hurricane Irma, Votran will be supporting the evacuation and recovery efforts in Volusia County and will run under evacuation route status on Saturday.
Votran will run as scheduled on Friday, but the transit system will turn into an evacuation route beginning Saturday in order to help bring people to shelters. Below are some things you need to know about Votran schedules and how they will be affected by the hurricane:
- Friday, September 8- Votran will be running normal service
- Saturday, September 9- Votran will operate normal service under
evacuation transportation status. Fares will be waived.
- Sunday, September 10- Votran will not operate. Votran will resume
normal service as soon as conditions allow and it is safe to operate.
Votran will continue to operate regular bus routes as long as storm conditions allow. All Votran vehicles will stop operation once winds are sustained at 35 mph. Once the hurricane has passed, service will resume as soon as possible. Beachside service will resume when bridges are reopened.
If an evacuation order is issued, Votran is placed under the direct control of Volusia County Emergency Management and follows the directions of the established Emergency Management Plan.
When public shelters open in Volusia County, Votran will provide free transportation to public shelters. All Votran bus stops are evacuation assembly points during a declared emergency evacuation order. Fares are not charged during evacuations and returns. If special needs evacuees cannot reach a regular bus stop, they must call Votran to arrange transportation.
Evacuees may need to stay at a shelter for 24 to 72 hours during an emergency. Bus and shelter space is limited. Evacuees should take only essential items, such as food, bedding, clothing and medications. Carry-on items are limited to a pillow, blanket and one carry-on bag (not larger than 22” x 16” x 8”). Residents can also bring a folding chair (i.e. lounge chair to sit or sleep on).
Votran Gold passengers should be prepared to cancel non-essential trips.
Votran will make every effort to allow evacuees to return home as quickly as possible. Re-entry to evacuated areas is based on public safety, security, and the operational needs of search-and-rescue teams. The re-entry policy will be established as soon as possible and with as few restrictions as possible. The decision to establish general re-entry will be evaluated through continuous coordination among county and state agencies, municipal law enforcement agencies, and adjacent counties and will be announced through the news media.
Telephone numbers for Votran:
Daytona Beach: 386-761-7700
West Volusia: 386-943-7033
New Smyrna Beach: 386-424-6800
For more information on disaster preparedness or to receive emergency telephone or email notifications from Volusia County Emergency Management, visit
www.volusia.org/emergency.
Photo courtesy of votran.org
Copyright Southern Stone Communications 2017.
