YOKOSUKA NAVAL BASE, Japan — Negishi residents will get more frequent bus service to Yokosuka Naval Base soon, the housing area officer in charge announced Tuesday.
But it is only a six-month trial run, Lt. Robert Moran said, and residents who requested the change should ride and be counted if they want the service to continue.
“If you care about this, please give us some feedback,” Moran said at the housing area’s town hall meeting Tuesday.
The idea to add more buses came out of a previous town hall meeting when residents complained that the buses ran at inconvenient times or were overcrowded.
The program is targeting shore-based sailors first, Moran said. Base officials are encouraging shore sailors to ride a new 6:45 a.m. bus from Negishi so space opens for fleet sailors on the 5:30 a.m. bus.
On the return trip, a 3 p.m. bus will be added to transport sailors who finish work early so they don’t have to wait for the 5:30 p.m. bus, he said.
The project will run for six months and cost about $30,000, Moran said. Yokosuka Commanding Officer Capt. Daniel Weed said he would sign over the funding starting June 1.
The home-to-work bus program gives priority to active-duty sailors. Civilians and dependents can ride on a space-available basis.
Other Negishi announcements
The Autoport and the post office are offering extended hours.
Unattended-cooking fires are on the rise, said a Regional Fire Department representative who cautioned residents to “keep cooking fires in your line of sight.”
Negishi’s chapel is under renovation, but open for services.
All of Negishi’s playground equipment is being replaced.
Morale, Welfare and Recreation will be installing padded play areas in workout rooms at Ikego and Negishi.
Military ID cards will be issued only on an emergency basis June 2-4 while the office undergoes a computer upgrade.
Sponsors are still needed for families arriving with the USS George Washington aircraft carrier, Fleet and Family Support Center director Rebecca Lombardi said. FFSC has 183 requests for sponsors and 176 placements. For more information, call DSN 243-3372.
Upcoming Negishi events include a June 5 summer block party, a June 7 adult prom night and a June 14 open base event.
— Allison Batdorff
