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Budget Puts Public Transit in Jeopardy

Budget Puts Public Transit in Jeopardy - Thursday, May 6, 2010 at 04:05AM EST

Reported by: Laurie Monteforte
Thursday May 06 2010
SWIFTWATER, MONROE COUNTY - A failed highway tolling plan could leave some people without a way to travel. Pennsylvania was expecting to rake in more than 400 million dollars with a plan to toll Interstate 80. The Federal Highway Administration said that's not allowed. Each year Pocono Pony buses give hundreds of thousands of rides. Rider Shaquee Durant said, "Up here coming from new york we need the buses. I mean it's hard to get around without a car."

But a state budget shortfall could impact the future of those rides. State transportation money helps buy new buses and expand services at the Monroe County Transit Authority.

TheAuthority's Assistant Executive Director Richard Schlameuss said, "We will be unable to replace buses in the future." He added, "It's of great importance to our seniors. To the youth. To our folks who are unable to afford their own transportation by car." The Transit Authority supports a highway tolling plan to help pay for new buses.

But some people who don't use buses - say they shouldn't have to pay for them. Especially in this economy. Susan Hasson of Swiftwater remarked, "I have to pay rent and i'm a single mom - you tell me - that's food out of my child's mouth."

Others wouldn't mind extra tolls. But not to support buses. Dennis Hock of Tobyhanna said, "I think the tolls should be for the roads and the roads only."

The Transit Authority said a highway toll would benefit everyone. "It's really the greater importance of fixing the roads and providing capital improvement for the bridges and the highway as a whole," said Schlameuss.

The authority hopes the government figures something out soon - for the sake of everyone on the road.

The budget issues won't just impact Monroe County public transportation. It will impact every public transit agency in the state.
 


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