Officials from PennDOT, Berks County, Lancaster County, the Berks Area Regional Transit Authority (BARTA) and the Red Rose Transit Authority (RRTA) held a media event today to celebrate the state’s largest transit consolidation that will save the counties $4.7 million over five years.
The savings will be achieved by establishing the South Central Transit Authority, consolidating administrative functions for the two systems and retaining one executive director for the services. The authorities and county commissioners in each county approved the merger in November.
“This consolidation effort is bringing significant savings to local taxpayers and will mean service improvements for these transit riders,” said Toby Fauver, PennDOT deputy secretary for Multimodal Transportation. “I applaud Berks and Lancaster counties for their leadership and serving as an example for transit providers across the state.”
Due to consolidation incentives through Act 89, the state’s transportation plan, much of the savings will be in local matching funds. Over five years, Berks County will save $2,804,169 total and Lancaster County will save $1,726,081 total. After five years, the counties will evenly split the local match of $780,820, lower than the $996,546 total local match that would have been required without the consolidation.
Because of the consolidation’s cost savings, the providers are considering adding Sunday service in Berks County and extending service to Route 41 in Lancaster County’s Gap area to reach the newly expanded Urban Outfitters and the Gap Area Shopping Center.
Kevin Barnhardt, chair of the BARTA Board and a Berks County Commissioner, said it was very encouraging to have Lancaster and Berks counties combine their transit agencies to form the South Central Transit Authority.
“This effort is a prime example of the mutual cooperation that our residents should expect from their elected and appointed officials, to find real savings as budgets become tighter,” said Barnhardt.”This cooperative spirit is a result of PennDOT’s efforts to encourage regional consolidation and assist in the financing of such endeavors.”
As a result of limited financial resources, transit agencies are required to explore more innovative ways of conducting business without the loss of critical services.
“This merger of two contiguous transit systems is a major victory. Lancaster and Berks County governments will both realize significant cost savings, the overall cost of transit will decline, and riders will not experience any decline in service,” said Red Rose Transit Board Chairman Jeffrey Wibberley. “This is an example of grass-roots cooperation – facilitated by PennDOT – resulting in major benefits to all parties.”
Through the consolidation of management and administrative services, all drivers and mechanics will remain employees of the existing authorities. BARTA and RRTA will contract with the new South Central Transit Authority for management and administrative services and a new board will be created including five members from each county.
To learn more about the state’s transportation plan visit www.dot.state.pa.us. Information on RRTA is available at www.RRTA.com and BARTA information is available at www.bartabus.com.
