MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Mountain Line Transit Authority is reinstating services Tuesday. Some were lost at the beginning of the year when coal severance tax money used in the past for funding was virtually gone.
Cassville, the Purple Line, Blue Line, Grafton Road, Mountain Heights, Crown and Red Line routes will return. The transit authority detailed the routes in a recent release.
The reinstatement is a result of a levy, passed by county voters, in May. The 5-year property tax increase will generate an anticipated 9 million dollars for Mountain Line.
There are high hopes from agency leaders in Mylan Park for expansion as well.
“We create jobs for people with disabilities,” said PACE Enterprises Director of Development Bob Pirner. “By implication, that means most of our people don’t drive. So, they rely on public transportation. So, we were thrilled when the levy passed.”
Earlier in June, Mountain Line Transit Authority General Manager Dave Bruffy arranged a public hearing for residents regarding a proposed route to Mylan Park where PACE and a number of other groups are located.
“Dave Bruffy from Mountain Line and his staff came out and talked to all the tenants at Mylan Park and asked what works best for you.
It was PACE, Stepping Stones, Operation Welcome Home, and Pro Performance. And, they gave us the schedule that we asked for,” Pirner added.
Bruffy had determined from prior meetings 12 runs a day are needed in the area from Westover to Star City to Mylan Park.
Service could begin in a couple of months.