It was reported about 20 residents attended the transit Open House at their terminal on North McKean Street yesterday. (photo by Melzina Barkfelt)
by Jonathan Weaver and Sarah Bader
Town and Country Transit management held two open houses on Thursday where they listened to suggestions on transit improvements.
In order to write a short-term transit plan funded through the Southwestern Planning Commission, planners spoke with members of the community at the downtown Kittanning transit center yesterday afternoon and at the West Kittanning Fire Hall in the evening.
AECOM Planning Development Manager Andrew Ittigson, of the firm’s Dallas Texas, office, has helped modify transit plans across the country, for systems with three routes like Town and Country Transit to systems with 150 bus routes in Dallas.
After hearing viewpoints from more than 20 residents Thursday afternoon, Ittigson said passengers expressed the need for direct routing in Ford City and the Franklin-Village Mall area of East Franklin Township and more trips outside the current service area and into Butler and Pittsburgh.
Transportation Planning Project Manager Keith Johnson has worked 17 years in the Pittsburgh office. Last year, he helped with a similar plan for Mid-Mon Valley transit.
He said goals in any short-term transit plans are similar.
“We’re looking at ‘How can we increase ridership?’ and ‘Are there ways we can make the existing system more efficient (by) saving money?” Johnson said.
AECOM Service Planner Will Calves focuses on fixed routes.
“When we’re looking at the fixed routes and where they operate, there’s a lot of things we have to take into consideration, including the demographic analysis,” Calves explained.
Data factors include age, access to a vehicle and income.
Several locals were interested in having a restroom at the transit station, too, Calves said.
Town and Country Transit General Manager Patti Lynn Baker said she couldn’t make any promises, but would “absolutely” consider all responses.
“They’re all possibilities – what we’d like to do is get input from the customers and see where people would like to go. It’s definitely something we’ll take into consideration and see what we can fit into the schedule,” Baker said.
In addition to Baker and Operations Manager Gerry Miller, municipal board representatives Steve Anderson, Hyatt Hawk and Henry Mores also attended the open houses.
Initial field work for the short-range transit plan began in December. Ittigson and Calves said recommendations will be given to Town and Country Transit leaders in the next few months.
Town and Country Transit management is currently conducting a survey which is available online via their Facebook page and website.