The first of many changes coming down the line for Red Rabbit bus service began last week as a new route opened to reach the new Hall County Government Center on Browns Bridge Road.

The additional route opened in time for July’s primary election as the new county Elections Office is currently operating out of the new government center. Other county offices are expected to move this fall.

While the new route is an addition to Red Rabbit service, a reduction in hours and increased bus fares are expected to be adopted later this summer.

Public input on the proposed changes is being sought by Hall Area Transit, which is hosting two public hearings on July 23.

The changes come even as ridership continues to grow. In the last fiscal year, which ended in June, Red Rabbit’s ridership levels were at 240,000, up from 215,000 the year before.

The new Route 7 covers portions of Atlanta Highway, Browns Bridge Road, McEver Road and Dawsonville Highway.

In addition to the Government Center, it will include stops near the Georgia Department of Family and Children Services, the Boys & Girls Clubs, retail stores and several apartment complexes.

Richard Ticehurst, Hall Area Transit’s operations manager, said many of the stops have long been requested by riders.

“(DFCS) has been a big spot for our riders,” he said. “It’s great we can finally go by there and help out.”

While the new route offers more coverage, other cost-cutting measures and attempts to bring in more revenue are expected as well.

Operation hours are expected to change to a 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. schedule from the current 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Operating hours for Route 2 will be cut even further.

A proposed fare increase has rates rising to $1.25 for an adult rider from $1. Discounted rates for children, student, seniors and disabled riders could also increase.

An independent study was conducted to determine rates, said Phillippa Lewis Moss, director of the Gainesville-Hall County Community Service Center. Moss said the proposed increases are actually smaller than she anticipated.

If implemented, Moss said Red Rabbit could bring in $25,000 more at the fare box. She lists that as a conservative estimate.

The Red Rabbit is one of the services provided by the Community Service Center, which is jointly funded and run by Gainesville and Hall County.

In addition to Red Rabbit adjustments, the center also saw the elimination of the Family Preservation Program, which offered in-home counseling for families at risk of child neglect or abuse, and increased funding for Meals on Wheels.

Moss said the changes have been a mixed bag.

“We experienced a significant loss with the termination of our family preservation services and achieved a minor gain with the addition of a route designed to serve the new Hall County government building,” she said.