By Tricia Pursell
MIDDLEBURG — A Middleburg woman has vowed to gather her friends and neighbors to financially support a recently proposed public transportation study, if the Snyder County Commissioners continue to be wary of the initiative.
The North Central Pennsylvania Transportation Task Force has approached Northumberland, Union, Montour, Snyder, Columbia, Schuylkill and Lycoming counties, to contribute a share, based on their population, of a $20,000 cost for the study, aimed at improving the current transportation system. If county support is obtained, the Department of Transportation would fund the remaining cost of the year-long research, which will cost a total of $100,000.
Snyder County is being asked to contribute $1,470.
Catherine Flather, a foster mother for 16 years, said she has seen clearly the transportation needs of families throughout the region, who would benefit from an inter-county transportation system.
“This year, more gas cards have been handed out by agencies,” Flather said. “People are having difficulties. Even if they have a car, they still have difficulty getting gasoline.”
Flather has spoken to numerous people who work in the community, and intends to compile a list of people who are being affected by the current inefficient public transportation system. They may be able to contribute a few dollars each and come up with the funds the task force is requesting from the county, she said. She has also sent an e-mail to every transportation provider in the county.
“The commissioners are saying they’re not hearing from anybody,” Flather said, “but that doesn’t mean the need isn’t there.”
She has personally assisted family and friends when they were in need of transportation, she said. “Most of the community has done the same thing. Neighbors helping neighbors.”
And if they don’t find anyone to help, “people just don’t go,” she said.
A regionalized transportation system would remove limits of just where a person, who lacks personal transportation, could find work or make medical appointments, she said. Such a system would strengthen our communities, she said.
“I think if they (the commissioners) understood the need, they would vote differently,” she said.
Commissioner Joe Kantz said earlier this week he is planning to gather a small group of people from Snyder and Union counties to brainstorm the situation.
“I feel a $100,000 investment in a study by a firm that probably will not know our area will result in a plan that is not feasible without huge public subsidies,” he said. “If the need is so great, it would be a great opportunity for a private business person to fill the need, make a profit, and create new jobs.”
Snyder County Commissioner Richard “Bud” Bickhart said the task force is attempting to obtain a $10,000 grant to offset the requested contributions from the counties. The grant would lower Snyder County’s share to $735.
While he supports the idea, Bickhart said, “I do believe for this project to survive, the counties will have to commit additional funding in future years, which I would not support.”
Commissioner Malcolm Derk previously told The Daily Item that he had concerns, as well, that the results of the study could bring greater costs to the taxpayers, and believed it would make more sense if industries and institutions that want bus service would contribute to the study.
“I think we can support the concept of the study,” agreed Union County Commissioner John Showers. “Other organizations can step forward other than county government.” Such organizations, he said, would include the hospital, university, and human services agencies which would eventually benefit from a more regionalized transportation system.
Keri Albright, vice chairwoman of the task force and executive director of the Greater Susquehanna Valley United Way, said she does hope that some private organizations would contribute.
If county commissioners refuse to contribute, she said, “We’re not going to exclude any of the counties. We’ll find other ways to get the money.”
To financially support the study, or for questions pertaining to the purpose of the study, contact Keri Albright at 988-0993 or Mark Murawski at 320-2138. Donations may be sent to the Greater Susquehanna Valley United Way; designate payments to the North Central Pennsylvania Transportation Task Force.
The task force will select a consultant for the feasibility study at its Jan. 26 meeting.
