SPANISH FORT, Ala. — A third Baylinc route will begin June 30 due to the public’s high demand and increased ridership.

In May 2008, more than 1,100 passengers boarded the transit system, which is a 29 percent increase from April. The load for June is projected to exceed 1,300.

Prices for riding Baylinc range from $1.50-3, depending on the distance. Riding to Point Clear is $3, Daphne $2, Fairhope $2.50 and Spanish Fort for $1.50 for one way. Connections between the counties are made at Bienville Square in downtown Mobile. Rider Discount Cards are available, as well as free parking at the Eastern Shore stops.

All buses are handicap accessible.

According to Taylor Rider, director of transportation for the Baldwin County Commission, BRATS has been successfully serving Baldwin County since 1987.

Even with the increased of gasoline prices over the past few years, BRATS has not had to raise fares since 1999 and hope not to have to increase anytime in the near future.

“With the new times it will give additional possibilities to those who need to go into work a little later, or get off a little later. It’s going to open up more opportunities and they have that security,” Rider said.

The new Spanish Fort Town Center and Bass Pro Shop are also expected to increase ridership, according to Rider.

“That’s the reason the stops were added,” Rider said referring back to the Spanish Fort Town Center. “The people who work there who are from Mobile have the opportunity to come into that new shopping center to work.”

Efforts were made between The Wave Transit System of Mobile and BRATS to get Baylinc connecting between Eastern Shore and Mobile. Many companies and people went into getting this Baylinc together.

Local, state and federal elected officials, chambers of commerce, the Baldwin County Public Transportation Coalition, members of transportation task forces, community leaders and many other transit stakeholders from both sides of Mobile Bay are all credited for the years of hard work to get this third Baylinc system running.

The new third route will pick up at the Fairhope Hardees at 7:40 a.m. and returns at 6:30 p.m.; the Daphne Library pick up at 7:55 a.m. and returns at 6:15 p.m.; Spanish Fort Hilltop Prodisee Center pick up is at 8:05 a.m. and returns at 6:05 p.m.; Bienville Square in downtown Mobile pick up is at 8:25 a.m. and 5:40 p.m. and departs at 8:30 a.m. and 5: 45 p.m.; Bass Pro Shopping Center pick up is at 8:55 a.m. and returns at 5:15 p.m.; Hobby Lobby in Jubilee Center pick up is at 9:05 a.m. and returns at 5:05 p.m.; Lowes pick up is at 9:10 a.m. and returns at 5 p.m. and pick up at The Eastern Shore Centre at the East entrance of Dillards and Belk is at 9:15 and returns at 4:55 p.m.

Baylinc runs Monday-Friday only. Return times to Daphne and Fairhope could be 15-20 minutes earlier because, most of the time, several of the stops do not have passengers.

Visit co.baldwin.al.us for more routes and additional information, or call BRATS at 251-990-4636.