Rotary learns about public transit in city

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The members of the Rotary Club of Weirton Heights learned about public transportation opportunities in the community, specifically those offered by Weirton Transit Corp., during Tuesday's meeting.

WTC Manager Becki Stout attended Tuesday's Rotary meeting and discussed some of the services Weirton Transit provides as well as the growth the organization has gone through since its inception.

Stout and her husband, Bill, a Weirton pastor, moved to the city about five years ago after working and living in various places around West Virginia. She explained that her husband's mother, who lives in Bridgeville, Pa., had been ill and they soon got the opportunity to come to Weirton.

"We prayed for something where we could be closer," Stout said.

Eventually, she heard the WTC needed some help. She began working her way up in the office and later was named the transit manager. Stout explained, with the changes in the economy and the community, more and more people are using public transportation.

"We need transportation more than ever," Stout said.

A few years ago, Stout said, the WTC ridership numbers were 14,000 a year. For the 2007-2008 fiscal year, WTC had 35,000 people use the service.

More than half of Weirton Transit's passengers are senior citizens, with approximately another 25 percent made up of clients from the Hancock County Sheltered Workshop.

Stout explained that Weirton Transit also provides a "tripper" service for some local schools, the Department of Health and Humans Services and the local literacy council.

Currently, WTC receives funding from the Federal Transit Authority and the City of Weirton. While the WTC also uses space in the Weirton City Building, Stout said the staff members who work for Weirton Transit are not city employees.

WTC is always looking for ways to obtain grant money, Stout said, because the grants help with the costs of operating the system. Stout explained they must have local matching funds to obtain grants, including funds from local governments, donations and fundraisers.

Stout said the single area that is causing a problem for transit services now is the rising fuel costs.

"They're killing everybody," Stout said.

Stout said Weirton Transit and other local transit providers have been meeting to find ways to regionalize the public transportation services by reducing or eliminating duplication of services and increasing cooperation.

She said she and the board of trustees members hope area residents are willing to learn more about Weirton Transit and the services it offers.

"It's going to be an integral part of the business community," Stout said.

(Howell can be contacted at chowell@weirtondailytimes.com)