Mountain Line Transit News: 2000

Mountain Line Transit News: 2000

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Consultant to Hold Hearing on Mountain Line Service

December 22, 2000: The transportation specialists firm of Jenkins and Quinn is announcing a public meeting to review transportation services of the Monongalia County Urban Mass Transit Authority (Mountain Line). The meeting will be held on January 8, 2001 at 1:00 in the Monongalia County Senior Center located at 238 High Street in downtown Morgantown. The purpose of the meeting is to receive public input about transportation services for the disabled. Mr. Harold Jenkins will be available to receive comments, concerns and suggestions as a part of the firm’s State funded review of Mountain Line services. Information provided at the meeting will be considered in the formulation of a written report of findings to be presented in mid January.

Mountain Line will be providing supplemental transportation to persons desiring to attend the meeting. To arrange for transportation, please call 291-RIDE (7433) as soon as possible to arrange for a pickup. If you would like to submit comments for consideration but are unable to attend the meeting, written comments may be mailed to Mr. Harold Jenkins c/o Mountain Line, 185 Garrett Street, Morgantown, WV 26505.

Board Meeting Time Change

December 22, 2000: The Mountain Line Transit Authority is changing the regular meeting time of their January Board Meeting. The Board will meet at 4:00 p.m., Wednesday, January 10, 2001. Meetings are held in downtown Morgantown at the Authority's Depot and Offices located at 185 Garrett Street. All Board meetings are open to the public. For more information, please call (304) 291-7433.

Bernie Cordray Named November Driver of the Month

December 16, 2000: The Mountain Line Transit Authority is pleased to announce its Driver of the Month, Mr. Bernie Cordray. Mr. Cordray was selected as Driver of the Month based on his top performance rating in the month of November. Mr. Cordray was one of 24 drivers evaluated for daily work performance in areas such as demonstrated driving skills, safety, public relations, assistance to his fellow drivers and maintaining his route schedule just to name a few. The Authority has employed Mr. Cordray as a part time Driver since July of 1998 and as a full-time Driver since July of this year. Mr. Cordray was also noted for his outstanding performance last month. Other Drivers noted for outstanding performance in November were Curtis Jenkins, Steve Holt, Mary Rogers and Roby Collins.

Mountain Line Service to be Reviewed

December 6, 2000: The Mountain Line Transit Authority is announcing the beginning of a one-month study of their transportation service provision for the disabled. Based on continuing service delivery concerns expressed by the Monongalia County Commission, the Authority has requested the assistance of the West Virginia Division of Public Transit.

The Division of Public Transit has agreed to contract with an outside consultant to review Mountain Line's services. The Authority has requested the Division's assistance so that they can rapidly address any service delivery issues that might be identified through this neutral, third party review. The Division of Public Transit has selected the firm of Jenkins and Quinn from Johnstown, PA, to conduct the study.

Mr. Harold Jenkins, Principal of the firm, will be conducting the study and reporting his findings to the Division of Public Transit, Mountain Line and the Mountain Line service community. Mr. Jenkins will be reviewing existing service compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), previous service compliance with ADA and current and past ADA related complaints. Mr. Jenkins will be meeting with Mountain Line Staff and Board Members and will also speak with Morgantown City Council Members, the Monongalia County Commission, social service agencies, advocacy groups for the disabled, disabled riders, including those issuing complaints, and the general public.

Based on his service review, Mr. Jenkins will provide recommendations for improving service delivery. This study is scheduled for completion by January 15, 2001.

For more information about this study and how to participate, interested parties are asked to call Mountain Line at 291-RIDE (7433).

Mountain Line Buses Not Running Thanksgiving Day

November 17, 2000: The Mountain Line Transit Authority would like to remind riders that there will be no bus service on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 23, 2000. Normal service will resume on Friday, November 24, 2000.

Brewer Hill Bus Service to Change

November 15, 2000: The Mountain Line Transit Authority is announcing a change in service for the Brewer Hill section of Star City effective on Monday, November 27, 2000. The Authority is placing the Brewer Hill area on a Call and Ride Status in response to heavy traffic volumes in the Star City area. The Brewer Hill section of Star City includes the North Main Street, Center Hill and Saratoga areas. Construction on the Star City Bridge has increased traffic in this area and this increased traffic often makes it impossible for buses to stay on schedule. This service change is being implemented to improve the timeliness of the Red Line in the Star City area.

Designation as a Call and Ride neighborhood means that riders in that area will need to call 291-RIDE (7433) for a pickup. Bus stop signs with pickup times have been posted throughout the Brewer Hill area. The times posted on those signs indicate actual pickup times at those points. Riders need to call the Authority at least 20 minutes prior to the printed pickup time on the bus schedule and bus stop signs and notify their bus driver when they want to be dropped off in that area. The bus will only serve those areas by request until further notice. For more information about this change or for assistance, riders are asked to call Mountain Line at 291-RIDE (7433).

Roy Hunt Named October Driver of the Month

November 10, 2000: The Mountain Line Transit Authority is pleased to announce its Driver of the Month, Mr. Roy Hunt. Mr. Hunt was selected as Driver of the Month based on his top performance rating in the month of October. Mr. Hunt was one of 21 drivers evaluated for daily work performance in areas such as demonstrated driving skills, safety, public relations, assistance to his fellow drivers and maintaining his route schedule just to name a few. The Authority has employed Mr. Hunt since October of 1999. Mr. Hunt was featured in an October 22 Dominion Post newspaper article unveiling the Authority's new trolley uses. Other Drivers noted for outstanding performance were Bernie Cordray, Roby Collins, Joe Shultz and John Hemerick.

Mountain Line Buses Free on Election Day

November 6, 2000: Mountain Line will again provide free transportation for Monongalia County residents on Election Day, Tuesday November 7. Riders will be required to exit the bus at the end of each route and political solicitation of any kind is strictly prohibited.

For information on voting precincts or other election information, please call the City Clerk's Office at 291-7434 or the County Clerk’s Office at 291-7238. For more information on bus routes, schedules and times, riders can reach Mountain Line at 291-7433 or they can visit Mountain Line's web page at WWW.BUSRIDE.ORG.

Mountain Line Distributes Goodie Bags

October 27, 2000: The Mountain Line Transit Authority will be distributing reflective Trick or Treat bags to its riders on Monday and Tuesday in preparation for Halloween. All bus drivers will have a supply of the reflective bags on the buses and the Authority is encouraging use of these free bags for better visibility of the ghosts and goblins running the streets on Halloween. The Authority is also encouraging all Halloween participants to observe these additional safety guidelines on Halloween: never go out alone; walk in well-lit areas; be aware of cars in case they are not aware of you; make sure costumes allow free body movement and good visibility; and always have parents or other adults check treats before eating them.

For more information about the Mountain Line Transit Authority or to get your free, reflective treat bag, call 291-RIDE (7433).

Mountain Line Trolley Arrives!

October 19, 2000: The Mountain Line Transit Authority is pleased to announce the arrival of the first of its two flagship vehicles. The Authority has received its first Specialty Vehicle Trolley Bus provided through funding secured by the Honorable Senator Robert C. Byrd. These vehicles will be placed into permanent service as a shuttle connecting Morgantown's historic downtown district with the Wharf District along Don Knotts Boulevard and the Depot in Riverfront Park later this year.

The initial unveiling of the Trolley will take place this Saturday when the Trolley is placed into service as a football shuttle bus for the WVU-Notre Dame game. The Trolley will be serving the Morgantown Mall (Garfield's entrance) every thirty minutes until game time, beginning at 9:30 a.m. The Trolley will also be serving Downtown Morgantown (Met Theatre) every thirty minutes beginning at 9:45 a.m. Free parking and additional football shuttles are available at the Mountaineer Mall and the round-trip cost for all shuttles is $3.00. For more information about the Mountain Line Transit Authority or football shuttles, call 291-RIDE (7433).

Jim Huffman Named Driver of the Month

October 12, 2000: The Mountain Line Transit Authority is pleased to announce its Driver of the Month, Mr. Jim Huffman. Mr. Huffman was selected as Driver of the Month based on his top performance rating in the month of September. Mr. Huffman was one of 24 drivers evaluated for his daily work performance in areas such as demonstrated driving skills, safety, public relations, assistance to his fellow drivers and maintaining his route schedule just to name a few. Mr. Huffman has been employed by the Authority since its inception in July of 1996 and worked as a Driver for the Monongalia County Transit System prior to the creation of Mountain Line. Other Drivers noted for outstanding performance were Roby Collins, John Hemerick, William Coda and Steve Holt. For more information about the Mountain Line Transit Authority, call 291-RIDE (7433).

Mountain Line Buses Not Running On Labor Day

September 1, 2000: The Mountain Line Transit Authority would like to remind riders that there will be no bus service on Monday, September 4. Normal service will resume on Tuesday, September 5.

Mountain Line Adds Extra Service to Fight Traffic

August 22, 2000: The Mountain Line Transit Authority will be temporarily adding additional service on its Blue and Gold shuttle between Evansdale and the Downtown Campus. This extra service will begin on Wednesday, August 23 at 12:00 noon to help with bus schedule delays caused by construction and heavy traffic. The Authority is encouraging anyone needing to travel between Downtown Morgantown and Evansdale to ride the bus.

The Blue and Gold loads at the County Health Department, below the Med Center PRT, at Bennett Tower (Rawley Ave. side) and anywhere along University Avenue, including Sunnyside, the MountainLair, the Depot and Spruce Street in Downtown Morgantown. The Blue and Gold leaves the Health Department every forty minutes beginning at 7:00 a.m. and departs from the Depot every forty minutes beginning at 7:20 a.m. The fare for the Blue and Gold is $0.25 one way. Transfers to the Blue and Gold from other routes are free.

Commission Appointee Takes Office as New Transit Authority President

July 24, 2000: The Monongalia County Urban Mass Transit Authority Board of Directors elected Dr. David Martinelli to the position of President of the Board for fiscal year 2000-2001. Dr. Martinelli takes over the post vacated by Jenny Dinsmore who served two terms (1997-1998, 1999-2000) as President of the Authority.

Dr. David Martinelli is an Associate Professor and Chairman of WVU's Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. The Department is home of the Harley Staggers National Transportation Center as well as other transportation-related programs. Dr. Martinelli teaches transportation planning and design courses at both the graduate and undergraduate levels and has served as an investigator on numerous sponsored research projects. He is the 1998 recipient of the prestigious Collingwood Prize for a paper authored on the topic of busways.

Dr. Martinelli received his BS and MS degrees in Civil Engineering from Carnegie Mellon University and his Ph.D. specializing in Transportation Engineering from the University of Maryland. Dr. Martinelli was appointed to the Authority by the Monongalia County Commission and has previously served in the positions Chair of Operations and Vice President of the Board.

Other officers elected for 2000-2001 include Bob Roberts, Vice President, James Caravasos, Secretary and Frank Salucci II, Treasurer. For more information about the Authority, including Agendas and Meeting Minutes, visit Mountain Line's web page at WWW.BUSRIDE.ORG.

Mountain Line Buses Not Running on July 4^th

June 30, 2000: The Mountain Line Transit Authority would like to remind riders that there will be no bus service on Tuesday, July 4^th. Normal service will resume on Wednesday, July 5th.

Mountain Line Board Meeting Time Changed

June 15, 2000: The Mountain Line Transit Authority is changing the regular meeting time of their monthly Board Meetings. Board Meetings will be held at 6:00 p.m. on the second Wednesday of every month. Meetings are held in downtown Morgantown at the Authority’s Depot and Offices located at 185 Garrett Street. All Board meetings are open to the public.

Mountain Line Buses Not Running Memorial Day

May 26, 2000: The Mountain Line Transit Authority would like to remind riders that there will be no bus service on Memorial Day, Monday, May 29. Normal service will resume on Tuesday, May 30.

Mountain Line Buses Free on Election Day

May 5, 2000: Mountain Line will again provide free transportation for Monongalia County residents on Election Day, Tuesday May 9. Riders will be required to exit the bus at the end of each route and political solicitation of any kind is strictly prohibited.

For information on voting precincts or other election information, please call the call the City Clerk's Office at 291-7434 or the County Clerk’s Office at 291-7238. For more information on bus routes, schedules and times, riders can reach Mountain Line at 291-7433 or they can visit Mountain Line's web page at WWW.BUSRIDE.ORG.

Mountain Line Board Meeting Times Changed

April 25, 2000: The Mountain Line Transit Authority is changing the regular meeting time of their monthly Board Meetings. Board Meetings will be held at 6:30 p.m. on the second Wednesday of every month. Meetings are held in Downtown Morgantown at the Authority’s Depot and Offices located at 185 Garrett Street. All Board meetings are open to the public.

Mountain Line Adding Service

February 4, 2000: Effective Monday, February 7, 2000, the Mountain Line Transit Authority will be adding new commuter routes. New routes include three daily trips to the Fairmont Sam’s Club, Middletown Mall and High Tech Consortium, four trips per day to the Grafton Four Corners Rite Aid and four trips per day to the Hundred Senior Center through the western end of Monongalia County. The Hundred run includes new service to many Monongalia County areas including Wadestown, Blacksville, Core, Bowlby, and Maidsville. Fares for these new runs will be two dollars each way and discounted monthly, quarterly and yearly passes are available.

These new commuter routes are being made possible through funds provided by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Tea-21 Commuter Access Program. Other participants in these new service runs include the CENTRA (Clarksburg) and FMCTA (Fairmont) public transportation systems. Connections with these systems will be available in Fairmont, Hundred and Grafton as a part of our mutual efforts to improve area access to North Central West Virginia.

For additional information, schedules and fees, interested parties can contact the Mountain Line Transit Authority at 291-RIDE (7433) or through our web site WWW.BUSRIDE.ORG.