Transit merger finally approved
The consolidation of Washington City Transit and Washington County Transportation Authority was several years in the making, but the merger was finally approved during a City Council meeting Thursday.
“This has been an ongoing challenge,” said Councilman Terry Faust, who recalled meetings held on the same topic in 2008 and 2009.
The agreement, which will go into effect July 1, was approved unanimously. Officials hope the measure will cut costs and the duplication of administrative efforts.
The city agreed to give $85,000 to the new transit agency for the 2015-16 fiscal year, which is a reduction of more than $60,000 from the amount pledged by the city this year. The county agreed to give $113,230 to the new agency during the same time period.
City Transit Director Joe Thomas said the consolidation is beneficial for both parties, as well as taxpayers in Washington.
“From the city’s perspective, we will at least maintain, and likely improve, the public transit service at a cost that is no more, and probably less, than what the city is currently paying,” Thomas said.
Thomas said he is unsure what his role will be going forward or whether the names of the Freedom Line and Washington Rides service, which are operated by the county authority, will stay the same. No immediate changes to routes or agency names are expected, he said.
City Transit’s eight buses will likely be transferred to the county authority, which operates two buses, Thomas said. City Transit also applied for federal funding to replace two buses.
As the long-awaited intermodal transit facility on East Chestnut Street nears completion, Thomas hopes funding can be secured for other purposes going forward.
“With that construction drawing to a close for the next few years, that money would likely be targeted for the purchase of buses and equipment like fare boxes and radios that are the ancillary equipment that goes with the buses.”
The Mid-Mon Valley Transit Authority, a third transit agency operating in Washington County, declined last year to participate in the merger.