WTC talking growth
By ANGELINA DICKSON, Staff writerThe Weirton Transit Corp. met last Wednesday where board members expressed appreciation for support from Brooke and Hancock county commissioners and discussed the continuing expansion effort.
Becki Stout, WTC manager, announced the Brooke County Commissioners reconsidered their annual contribution to the transit agency. Earlier in the year, commissioners weren't able to commit the $5,000 to the transit, but had advised WTC it would review the issue later in the summer.
Ward 5 Councilman George Kondik, along with Stout, attended the Brooke County Commission meeting in early August where Kondik presented an appeal on behalf of the Brooke County citizens and Weirton Transit. He explained the WTC transports approximately half of their patrons to or from destinations in Brooke County.
Commissioners Bernie Kazienko, Marty Bartz and Norma Tarr approved the allotment of $5,000 for the support of the citizens of Brooke County with the hope of increasing the amount next year. Stout added Hancock County Commissioners also contributed $15,000 to Weirton Transit Corporation.
"We'd like to thank both Boards of Commissioners for their continued support of this worthwhile service that Weirton depends on," said Stout.
On another note, it was reported the West Virginia Department of Public Transit has also allotted funds for future expansion efforts and capitol investments for the next three years. Stout said the funds will be distributed and monitored by the state to be utilized primarily for capital needs and expansion efforts.
The Weirton Transit Corporation bus service has increased its ridership over that last several years as more and more citizens are affected by the economy and have made use of public transit services as a result.
Stout said the expansion effort will entail looking into areas such as Follansbee, New Cumberland and possibly areas farther north and south on a pilot program.
"We must go to the areas and find out the needs of the citizens of the areas and evaluate what it will take to make this a reality," noted Mike Weaver, board president. "If we can do this, the citizens of these areas understand that we are making efforts to provide real service."
The board asked Stout to start working on a cost analysis of possible scenarios and routes which would lay the groundwork of this expansion project. She said there will be a subcommittee set up from the board to focus on this expansion plan, so that within a few months the Weirton Transit Corp. can go to the cities with a proposal and ideas of how to service the areas outside of Weirton.
(Dickson can be contacted at adickson@weirtondailytimes.com)
