CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Nearly one week after they announced a temporary closure, people have expressed their concern of stops along CCRTA route 27 and 28 closing.
"There's gotta be a better way," Karyn Salazar-Vega said.
There are two stops that are being affected. However, one of them is right in front of Metro Ministries. Every year, the shelter and service center helps over 7,000 people with health care, food and a place to live.
"The bus stops here at Metro Ministries are eateries to services for those who come to us," Executive Director Patty Clark said.
The Corpus Christi Regional Transit Authority said the two stops were closed due to Harbor Bridge Construction. Soon, Leopard Street will be reduced to two lanes which CCRTA said, would make the stops unsafe.
"Our primary concern is to ensure that our bus stops are safe and provide as little traffic disruption as possible," CEO Jorge Cruz-Aedo said.
According to Clark, while the closure isn't ideal, as construction continues, it would not be safe to have the stop.
"We're just working with them to make sure that it's close enough that it doesn't present safety and access issues," Clark said.
Felicia Thompson uses the bus stop every day and said without it, getting to work will be difficult.
"It's effecting our lives especially the ones who are trying to be productive citizens in this community," Thompson said.
In the meantime, RTA is working on setting up a temporary stop.
"Our primary concern is to ensure that our bus stops are safe," Cruz-Aedo said.
However, Karyn Salazar-Vega with Adapt CC said the closure would affect disabled people.
"The closest bus stop is 1,100 feet away, and that would require people in wheelchairs or other mobility aids to be in Leopard Street," Salazar-Vega said.
A one-week notice was not enough time for people who use the stop to make alternate plans. Yet, Cruz-Aedo said they put up a notice in the end of March.
"We attempt to give adequate notice so that people can start planning and be aware of a change coming up," Cruz-Aedo said.
For more information on bus routes and stops, head to the CCRTA website.