CATS gets a new director, Garry Johnson

The Clovis Area Transit System (CATS) recently promoted a fellow employee to director. Garry Johnson.

Johnson, 58, worked as an office manager for CATS for four years. That changed on May 5, when he replaced Mary Lou Kemp, who retired. Kemp was in the director position for about 30 years, according to Johnson.

“I look forward to it. I mean, I’ve been with the city. 16 years, this is my fourth position. So they’ve given me the opportunity to be able to move up,” Johnson said.

CATS provides curb to curb service, Monday through Friday starting at 6:30 am through 6:30 pm and Saturday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. According to Johnson, CATS provides around 100 to 180 rides every day for those that need one.

Johnson believes the department is very much needed for the citizens of Clovis.

“A lot of people we get to their medical appointments, we get them to work. We get them to go shopping,” Johnson said.

Since he is only the second director, Johnson said he hopes to continue what Kemp started many years ago in his new role.

By encouraging ridership, keeping a good staff in the office and on the roads, turning in reports to the state every month for grants, and handling customer service, Johnson believes he can accomplish that.

Johnson said CATS is currently looking for more drivers. He said they are five short right now as they strive to have eight full time drivers and two part time.

Johnson said anyone interested in becoming a driver for CATS can go to cityofclovis.org and search the job openings under “Transit Driver.”

For those needing rides, a passenger’s out-of-pocket fare is 75¢ per trip with the City and the New Mexico Department of Transportation funding the balance of the cost. Transit passes can be purchased at the office for $5.00 (10 trips).