Nov 19, 2002 By J.S. Augustine For The 4 min read

CHARLEROI – For the building that houses the Mid Mon Valley Transit Authority (MMVTA), the grand opening of the Mon Valley’s first intermodal transit center returned the building to its beginnings as a bus and trolley barn during the early 20th century. Used over the years as doctors’ offices, a law firm and most recently the Mon Valley unemployment office, the building has come full circle, according to MMVTA chairman of the board, Dr. Ronald J. Tuman,.

“It only seems appropriate to begin the 21st century (at this site) as the home to the Mid Mon Valley Transit Authority,” said Tuman. “Now that the building has gone full circle, it seems only natural that it is once again returned to its humble beginnings being utilized to offer public transit services to the citizens of the Mon Valley.”

Executive director for MMVTA, Nancy Basile noted that while the building was under renovation by Fairchance Construction Co. of Fairchance, the construction crew unearthed trolley tracks located in front of the building during Phase II of the renovation to the interior of the building.

In front of nearly 175 guests at the Nov. 14, grand opening, Tuman indicated that not only has public transportation come a long way in the Mon Valley over the years, but so has MMVTA.

“I hate to sound clich’, but there is an expression that goes, ‘We’ve come a long way baby,'” he said. “That statement is more than true when it comes to MMVTA’s origins.”

MMVTA was established Nov. 7, 1985, through the support and assistance of 20 Mon Valley communities, Westmoreland County, the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (Bureau of Public Transportation).

One of MMVTA’s first home’s was at Chuck Muia’s Photography Studio in Donora, then moving onto the Old Library at the corner Sixth Street and Washington Avenue in Charleroi before moving into its current home at 1300 McKean Ave.

Soon after purchasing the building in 1997, a major transformation began during Phase I, exterior renovation, by Repal Construction Co. of Pittsburgh.

“After years of dedication to the project,” said Tuman. “Our staff and many of our dedicated past and present board members have been waiting anxiously for this day to arrive when we could settle into our new home, without being surrounded by construction. Believe me, from the looks of our new home, the outcome was well worth the wait.”

Adds Basile, “This project makes for a community project everyone should be proud of.”

The new transit center houses the authority’s main offices, an updated waiting area for passengers, a lounge, and is the key connecting point for six of eight fixed routes the authority offers to residents of the Mon Valley.

MMVTA’s ribbon-cutting attracted many dignitaries as well, including state Reps. Peter J. Daley and Ted Harhai, aides for state Sen. J. Barry Stout and U.S. Rep. John Murtha, Washington County Commissioners John Bevec and J. Bracken Burns, as well as aides from Westmoreland County Commissioners office.

Daley who spoke at the event said, “We are so proud about what’s going on here.” And added the refurbished building brings new life to the community.

MMVTA also unveiled to the public their first ever mission statement, which reads, “Our mission at the Mid Mon Valley Transit Authority is to effectively and efficiently service area communities with mobility to their citizens by the means of public transportation with experienced professionals dedicated to the enrichment of life.” A bronze plaque containing the mission statement will be mounted at the front entrance of the new transit center.

With the state contributing roughly $400,000 toward the $1,454,583 project, the FTA contributed the bulk of the funding with $1, 163,666.

Seventeen years after it was first formed, MMVTA now services 21 communities along the Route 88 corridor, offering service into downtown Pittsburgh 365 days a year, free bus rides for senior citizens 65 or older, as well as demand-responsive paratransit services in compliance with the American With Disabilities Act (ADA).

Most recently, MMVTA embarked in an agreement with California University Pennsylvania and Douglas Education Center of Monessen to allow their students to ride all MMVTA routes for free with a valid student identification card.