LCTA Asks Public How to Improve Bus Service

January 18, 2010, Kingston, PA – Luzerne County Transportation Authority (LCTA) is holding two meetings to obtain input from the public on how to improve its bus routes and services. The meetings will be held on Thursday, January 28, 2010 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and from 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at The Ramada Inn located at 20 Public Square. The public outreach sessions are part of a Route Analysis and Transit Service Planning Study being undertaken by LCTA to identify ways to improve its operations.

The Route Analysis and Transit Service Planning Study is a nine month effort scheduled to be completed in Spring 2010. Clear View Strategies, a public transportation consulting firm out of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is conducting the Study which consists of the following tasks: 1) determining current conditions; 2) identifying community characteristics; 3) conducting public outreach: 4) establishing performance measures; 5) evaluating existing routes; 6) developing new routes; 7) making recommendations for existing and new routes; and 8) developing an implementation plan. The public outreach task will be ongoing throughout the duration of the Study culminating with presentation of the Study’s recommendations to the public for their input.

LCTA operates 15 bus routes and provides service to 31 municipalities in Luzerne County. Routes operate Monday through Friday from about 5 a.m. until 7 p.m. and on Saturday from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. LCTA does not operate on Sundays or major holidays. The base fare is $1.50 a ride and 40 cents for transfers. Each year, LCTA carries about 1.7 million riders.

LCTA will soon be opening a new transit/transfer center on South Washington Street where bus routes will convene and provide a safe and convenient location for patrons to get the bus.

For more information contact:

Stanley Strelish, Executive Director

LCTA, 315 Northampton Street, Kingston, PA 18704

(570) 288-9356

sstrelish@epix.net