Fayette commuters to get bus service to Pittsburgh |
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Author: Judy Kroeger
Source: Tribune Review
Date: June 24, 2006
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Fayette County's public transit system is planning to offer commuter routes to Pittsburgh later this year.
The tentative route will take passengers to Grant Street in the city's Downtown. Fayette Area Coordinated Transportation is making arrangements with the Port Authority of Allegheny County to determine stops.
Michelle Grant Shumar, FACT director, said the service tentatively is scheduled to start Oct. 1. A one-way ticket will cost $10.
Working out the route and bus parking with the Port Authority has set back the start date of the new service, which originally was to begin July 1.
Harold Jenkins, FACT staff consultant, said at a public hearing Friday that the 2000 census indicated 1,600 Fayette County residents commuted to Pittsburgh daily.
The hearing was a federal requirement because FACT is adding routes and raising rates for the first time since 2000. All fixed routes will cost an additional 25 cents and shared-ride rates will increase 25 percent. The shared-ride program provides curb-to-curb transportation. Fares vary depending on destination.
Jenkins said the high cost of fuel and the expansion of bus services make the increase necessary.
Shumar said the fare increases tentatively will take effect Oct. 1.
Senior citizens still can ride during nonpeak hours for free. Peak hours are from 7 to 8 a.m. and 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
FACT will add Sunday service in Uniontown and add a local Connellsville bus. Connellsville will have two buses. Commuters from Connellsville still will be able to travel to Uniontown during the day, but they will have to change buses at the FACT office at the Connellsville Airport.
Subsidized programs for veterans, seniors and those on medical assistance remain available.
"Our services are not just for the elderly," Jenkins said. "We are attempting to build our commuter base. We will market the Pittsburgh routes pretty dramatically."
FACT's revenue budget is $1.36 million, including $257,000 from fares, $344,175 from the federal government, $281,106 from the state and $290,785 from the county.
Additionally, the federal government will provide $1.48 million for additional capital acquisitions, including new buses, to be paid over the next five years.
The new routes will be listed at www.factbus.com and at the FACT office. For more information, call 724-628-7433. |
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