FACT to expand services
Fayette Area Coordinated Transportation is gearing up to expand bus services into the communities of Smithfield, Point Marion, Fairchance, Perryopolis and Masontown, if that’s what the public wants. As part of an initiative that began last October, when FACT conducted surveys on the need for increased bus routes, a series of five public hearings will be held on Thursday and Friday throughout the county. The purpose of the hearings is to solicit public comment on the proposed plans for public transportation expansion for fiscal year 2003-04.
George Hardy, FACT general manager, said he feels public input is essential to improving the current services, as well as establishing new routes. He said information such as which side of the street to pick up people is vital to the success of the new routes.
Hardy has been working to establish the new routes, which could begin as soon as July 1, and has also approached local government officials to seek support for the expansion. The exact destinations will be determined by budget constraints.
Hardy said FACT is working to become a countywide transportation provider. He said, when implemented, the new proposed routes will be integrated with the other routes so riders can utilize the other destinations. Hardy said, for example, with a new route, a rider could go from Fairchance to stops in the Connellsville or Brownsville areas.
Last December, eight new 28-passenger buses were added to the FACT fleet using federal funds.
Currently, the six set routes include Uniontown City; Brownsville-Uniontown Express; Brownsville-Republic Uniontown; Uniontown-Bute/Oliver; Uniontown-Farmington Nemacolin and Uniontown-Connellsville. The buses generally run from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., with the exception of the Uniontown to Farmington route, which begins earlier for employees of Nemacolin Woodlands and other Wharton Township sites. Jill Rush, program specialist/administrative assistant for the county Office of Human and Community Services and FACT, said since the results of the surveys revealed the public’s interest in additional routes, work has been under way to set up new routes.
“We’re branching out and trying to improve upon actual services,” Rush said. “We’re reaching out into neighborhoods and want to provide not just transportation, but community-based service as well.”
Hardy said the new routes will more than double the service area. He said he is trying to dispel the belief that FACT is only for certain uses, such as shared ride and medical services. “We are a public service for every resident to use if they wish,” he said.
Senior citizens who register with FACT ride for free, as well as children under 12 who are riding with an adult.
Hardy said there are also discounts for students with identification. For other riders, age 13 and over, the base fare is $1 per zone.
The public is invited to speak at the hearings, to give input to help improve the services.
On Thursday, the hearings will be held from 3 to 4 p.m. at the Carnegie Free Library on Pittsburgh Street in Connellsville in the second floor meeting room.
From 5 to 6 p.m., a hearing will be held at the Perryopolis Senior Center on North Liberty Street in Perryopolis.
On Friday, the first hearing will be held from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. at the Smithfield Community Center on Water Street.
From 3 to 4 p.m., a hearing will be held at Uniontown Public Library on Jefferson Street in Uniontown.
From 5 to 6 p.m., the final hearing will be held at the Flatiron Building in Brownsville.
For more information about the hearings or bus routes, contact Hardy at 724-430-4600, ext. 116.