Transit Study Approved by Most Locales

 

by Jonathan Weaver

With an approval by the Armstrong County Commissioners Thursday, PennDOT officials appear closer to moving forward with a study of transportation coordination between Armstrong and Indiana Counties.

According to local Planning and Development Executive Director Rich Palilla, most of the coordinating municipalities passed similar resolutions earlier this month.

“Since 2009, PennDOT has worked with transit agencies to conduct regional coordination studies, and that would reduce costs associated with transit services,” Palilla said. “In October, PennDOT officials came in to meet with the municipalities part of the Mid-County Transit Authority (also known as Town and Country Transit) to discuss their interest in conducting a regionalization study. Since that time, six of the seven member municipalities have passed resolutions requesting that study be done.”

Resolutions have been passed by elected leaders in Applewold Borough, Ford City Borough, Kittanning Borough, Manor Township, Manorville Borough and West Kittanning Borough.

Supervisors from East Franklin Township are scheduled to meet for their regular monthly meeting December 29.

Town and Country Transit General Manager Patti Lynn Baker said “a lot of confusion” has also come with the resolution requests – including job concerns and the level of service.

“Actually, legislation prevents loss of jobs. (The study) will be done from an operational standpoint – it’s to look at both Indiana and Armstrong counties if savings could be realized if the two of us consolidated or worked together in any type of way, Baker said.

“This is only a study –its non-binding. It never hurts to take an outsider’s look – we have nothing to hide.”

Commissioner Pat Fabian said commissioners from both Armstrong and Indiana counties also met with PennDOT this past summer.
Earlier this month, Ford City Borough Representative Beth Bowser said the original resolution template was changed.

“We felt it was in the best interest of Ford City and the surrounding communities that the wording was changed so we’re not held or bound to any results of this study without our knowledge,” Bowser said. “We’re interested in seeing results and go from there.”

Ford City Councilman Ray Klukan was opposed to signing the resolution, but it was passed 5-1 last week.

Commissioner George Skamai was hopeful the study may also pave the way for more State funding to go toward improvements.

In February, municipality board directors unanimously agreed to increase their annual local match allotments to maintain transit service in their neighborhoods – as they do annually.

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