A Town and Country Transit bus returns to the transit headquarters along North Grant Avenue Wednesday afternoon. Transit board of directors heard various topics at their monthly meeting shortly before, including a report regarding vandalism earlier this week that was caught on security cameras.
by Jonathan Weaver
Kittanning Borough Police are reportedly investigating an act of vandalism that occurred outside a Town and Country Transit bus terminal.
According to Transit General Manager Patti Lynn Baker, the incident occurred shortly after 6PM March 19. The unknown individual damaged trash receptacles and wrote in ink on one of the benches, but the area was cleaned yesterday.
The incident was captured “real clear” on security cameras and is being copied for police officers.
“It didn’t cost a lot, but obviously we want to discourage things like this from happening,” Baker said. “I think this is only the second time we’ve had issues like (this at the terminal). There’s a reason we pay to have the cameras down there. For the most part, we don’t have problems like this, but just want to keep it that way.”
Before their next meeting, municipality board of directors will receive a draft copy of a proposed accounting policy and procedures manual. Baker said auditors routinely suggest establishing such a manual in their annual review.
“The idea of an accounting policy and procedures manual is to build in safeguards to protect the authority’s assets, as well as build in ways that we do accounting and check-signing,” Baker said.
“It is something long-overdue, but something that needs to be adopted by the Board.”
Directors will be able to ask any questions regarding such at their April board meeting.
Statistically, Baker told board directors that Town and Country Transit provided more than 98 percent of all shared-ride trips so far this fiscal year – 10 percent more than last year – and saved more than $300,000 on a combination of fuel, sub-contractor expense, and driver salary and wages.
“Our drivers are doing an excellent job – I think things are working real-well the way we’re doing things,” Baker said. “That shows we’re moving in the right direction.”
Financial reports also indicate the transit authority hopes to save up to $3,000 after switching phone providers.
While Baker said she has not noticed a dropoff of quality since the new service at the beginning of the fiscal year, Operations Manager Gerry Miller said the service also allows leaders to call to Leechburg and Apollo without having to pay long-distance charges.
Baker and Miller will attend ‘Transition Day’ today at Northpointe
Hosted by the Armstrong School District, the event is designed to help special needs students prepare for further education, employment, and community living after graduating from high school.
Town and Country Transit officials estimate they have attended for the past eight years to help students learn how to utilize fixed-route bus service.
Baker added that many register for the Persons with Disabilities program as well.
“I think it’s really important we go and be a presence there – quite a few ride with us now,” Baker said.
Also scheduled for today was a meeting with State transportation officials regarding environmental justice. However, Baker said the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation will commonly forward information necessary.