(La Porte, IN) - Public transportation in the City of La Porte was impacted this morning by the worldwide Microsoft computer glitch.

 

As a result, Transporte has no access on their computer system to rides scheduled recently, said Transporte dispatcher Brenda Reiser.

 

“The system is down.  We cannot see our current schedules,” she said.

 

Right now, she said the focus is on picking up regular riders Transporte personnel know need bus rides to work and at what times.

 

“I sent our two drivers out to pick up the regulars. They were handling that o.k.,” she said.

 

Reiser said attempts will be made to accommodate people, who call Transporte for rides elsewhere today, if possible.

 

Jessica Bruder, a spokesperson for the mayor's office, said rides will also be provided for people who call Transporte for medical related trips.

 

Non-emergency rides such as trips to grocery stores will not be provided for the time being, she said.

 

"They're only going to be making trips to work and trips to doctors' offices for residents until further notice," she said. 

 

 Reiser said Transporte could wind up closing later for the remainder of the day, though, if the computer system cannot be restored within a relatively short period of time.

 

“We don’t know yet.  We’re just playing it by ear,” she said.

 

The Microsoft glitch is blamed on a software update and is not believed to be linked to any cyberattacks.