CTA offers free hurricane evacuation service

While Cristobal has passed through our area, hurricane season has just begun.

Coast Transit Authority has already mapped out a route to safety for those with no way to evacuate during this hurricane season.

- hurricane season has just begun- as news 25's toni miles reports- the coast transit - authority has already mapped ou- a route to safety for those - with no way to evacuate this- hurricane season.

- - many of you are familiar with - the coast transit authority - o- cta - here on the coast.- for years, the cta has rolled - out affordable transportation - in south mississippi, but did - you know the cta also - provides free transportation to- - - - residents in need of a ride if- an evacuation order is issued i- harrison county during hurrican- season?

- kevin coggin, coast transit - authority executive director: - "we pick them up actually at their house, then w- take them to the shelter.

They- can take two bags, and- we'll help them get on board an- get to the shelter, and when- there's the all clear,- we get them out in the public.- we track who boards and who - - - - deboards, so family members who- are looking for their relatives- we can tell them who we picked- up and what happened, especiall- during a bad event, people are- looking for - their relatives and loved ones- - - - so we track everybody."

Toni miles, news 25: "the coast transit authority began - providing this free - service back in 2007, after the- need became apparent in the - aftermath of hurricane katrina.- - - - kevin coggin, coast transit - authority executive director: - "katrina drove it.

We really weren't at the table - during katrina.

We were kind of- on the fringe, but then the - lessons we all learned during - katrina, knew that bus- transportation was a critical - element - for people, not necessarily jus- before the storm, but also to - - - - support the public in - re-establishing after the storm- we did a lot of things."

- - - but to get on board with this - year's hurricane evacuation - transportation program, you'll- need to pre-register.

- you can call the cta to sign up- at 228-896-8080 - or head on- over to - - - - their website at coasttransit.c- m-click on the special- programs tab, scroll down to th- hurricane evacuation- transportation form-and enter - your information on line.

- kevin coggin, coast transit - authority executive director: - "you can register, and when there's a call for an- evacuation, we have an- electronic all call.

We'll send- out a - call to you and let you know- there's been a call for an- evacuation, and you need to cal- to- make your appointment.

It's jus- a lot smoother for the people i- they pre- - register."

In harrison county, toni miles,- news 25.- - -