Trinity Wimberly-Mann
Intern
thefranklinpressnews@gmail.com
Macon County Transit (MCT) is a public transportation service provided for Macon County. Two services are offered through MCT: a local route and door-to-door transportation.
The Mountain Gem includes a looped route with set schedules. There are two transit buses going in a loop throughout Macon County every weekday (Monday – Friday). The route starts at the Ingles on Georgia Road at 8 a.m. and has a pick-up time at each stop estimated every 30 minutes.
Clients may request a drop off spot between the designated locations, however if doing so it is required to give the MCT office a call ahead of time to ensure proper scheduling. Call 828-349-2222 for scheduling or other information.
The Mountain Gem fare is $2.50 for a round trip and $1 for a single trip. One-time fares will be collected when boarding the transit, in exact cash only. MCT also has a prepaid card option or an unlimited monthly pass for $30. You can purchase either of these with the driver or go in person to the Macon County Transit office at 36 Pannell Lane in Franklin.
Door-to-door service
Macon County Transit also provides a door-to-door service. This service provides transportation from the client’s house or requested pick-up location to their requested drop-off location. These trips include doctor’s appointments, work, trips to the airport, or other personal errands. To schedule a trip a client will need to call the MCT office, by no later than 11 a.m. the day prior to the requested day for in-county trips.
Macon County Transit Assistant Director Tommy Gilbert said it is best to call several days prior to request door-to-door transportation. For out of county trips call the MCT office by no later than one week prior to the requested day.
MCT has hired an additional driver and will implement a new schedule for the door-to-door out-of-county service, beginning in September. The new schedule is expected to have a trip to Asheville, Sylva, and an alternating county every weekday. The alternating trips will be rotating between Dillard/Clayton, Waynesville/Clyde, Cashiers, or Bryson City by a “first come, first serve basis.” The round trip fares vary by location: Sylva and Clayton for $15, Waynesville for $25, and Asheville for $35.
MCT will only provide rides to further destinations if it is a medical appointment set up by the Medicaid Transportation Coordinator at Macon County Department of Social Services. This is only applicable for people receiving Medicaid. For more details about how Medicaid Transportation works contact Macon County DSS at 828-349-2124.