On June 15th, the Natchez Community Center was filled with Lots of excitement!! The first Rural Transportation System in the State of Mississippi, Natchez Transit, was hosting Mississippi Community Transportation Day. That day Natchez Transit was also celebrating 42 years of Continued Service to the City of Natchez and the regional area.
The Natchez Transit System is under the Leadership of Mrs. Sabrena Bartley, Executive Director. She is also the Director of the Natchez Senior Citizens Center and has been a trend setter here in Natchez. She was the first Female African American Woman Director for the city of Natchez. She is also the first African American Woman to build a Rural Regional Comprehensive Transit Center in the state of Mississippi.
As a native of Grenada, Mississippi, Mrs. Bartley says “Love brought her here and Love has kept her here.” She came to Natchez in 1997 with her husband, the Rev. Charles Bartley who was born and raised her in Natchez and stayed. Rev. Bartley had been selected as the Pastor of Zion Chapel AME Church here in Natchez.
Mrs. Bartley is very proud of the Transit System and credits its success to her great staff. Under Mrs. Bartley’s leadership, the Natchez Transit System has grown by Leaps and Bounds. It started out with only 1 bus which was used just to transport the Seniors to the Senior Center for lunch. By January 2000, Mrs. Bartley then had a Vision to connect more people to places they needed to go i.e., doctor’s office, grocery store, drug store. Twenty-three years later her vision is in full bloom with 39 vehicles traveling to Vicksburg, Jackson, BrookHaven, MComb, Baton Rouge, Alexandria and even to the airport.
Mrs. Bartley was continuing to ponder ideas to serve more people. A rural Transportation Center was needed she thought. So, in 2009 funding was received, and later Natchez Transit along with other entities, moved into a 5.2-million-dollar facility. Mrs. Bartley was proud to say that the Community Transportation Association of America has noted this facility as a Model Facility. When using the Transit services, there is a minimum charge of $3.00 per trip depending on your destination and service requirements.
To Schedule pickup for Transit Services, the number is 601 445-7568. Thank You Natchez Transit for your 42 years of continued service to Natchez. Nat-Vid Life & Style Magazine was elated to be a part of this celebrations and are wishing you at least another 42 years of continued services to our community.
