The News Editorial: Bus service great asset to Worland

The return of commercial bus service to Worland this week was a sign of what can happen when agencies and businesses work together for the betterment of a community.

For two years Express Arrow bus service has been coming through Worland but not stopping. There were stops in Thermopolis, 30 miles south, and in Basin, 30 miles north, but no stop here in Worland.

I’m not here to speculate on what did not happen the past two years but rather I want to focus on the what did happen this year.

Washakie Development Association Executive Director LeAnn Baker reached out to Tony Barrios, Express Arrow director of operations asking about a bus stop in Worland.

With an interest from Barrios, she put him in touch with Worland Mayor Jim Gill and then with Pit Stop owner Mike Bailey and this week the 48-passenger motor coach began stopping in Worland. There are still a few logistics to work out and Express Arrow is still working on updating the website with the new schedule and getting Worland in there for online tickets.

The driver is getting used to the new stop. He even stopped in a week or so early to check out the facility. In talking to the driver Tuesday, he had four passengers on the route. There was no one to pick up in Worland.

The route is Cheyenne to Billings on Monday and Wednesday and the return trip Billings to Cheyenne on Tuesday and Thursday.

Bailey told the Northern Wyoming News that while having a stop at his travel center would probably increase business, the decision to have the stop was more about adding another service for the community and for his customers.

While tickets are available online only for the Worland stop, Barrios indicated that in the future there is the possibility of Bailey becoming an agent and selling tickets if he wanted.

Two businesses, one non-profit organization and one municipality worked together on this project to make it happen.

Is bus service everyone’s choice? Probably not. But having the service is important to the community in attracting new people to the community and in attracting businesses.

A community is always the better for having more amenities than fewer amenities.

There will be an official ribbon-cutting on May 11. Come check out the bus and visit with Barrios. Say thank you to all those who helped make this happen for Worland and celebrate in the newest community asset.

--Karla Pomeroy