Thanks to an increase in state and federal funding, Community Action Bus Lines is looking to reinstate services. Now is the time for residents who use the bus line, or could potentially use the bus line, to let county commissioners know which service should be reinstated.
Officials have said they could reinstate Saturday service, or Route B of the bus line, but cannot afford to do both. Saturday service was eliminated back in 2008 because of funding constraints. The Saturday service is offered within Marietta only.
Route B was a Marietta city route that ran Monday through Friday. It was cut along with a driver last October.
The Community Action Bus Line is an important service for Washington County which has no other public transportation available to residents. In the past, riders of the bus system have been concerned about less money coming to the program, so word that this year's budget is larger is good news. Last year's budget was $398,000 while this year's budget is $470,000. Of that, Washington County pays $54,500 toward the program and the city of Marietta pays $36,845.
County officials expect to have one of these services reinstated by April, and the decision will be made in the coming weeks by Washington County commissioners.
Residents should let their elected officials know which service they would prefer. Either way, we're glad to see a Community Action Bus Line route added, not removed.
