The City of Greenville is applying to the Ohio Department of Transportation for an operating and capital assistance grant under 49 U.S.C. Section 5311 of the Federal Transit Laws, as codified, the Ohio Elderly & Disabled Transit Fare Assistance Program (E&D program) and the Ohio Public Transportation Grant Program.
The operating grant will provide financial assistance for open door, public transportation service for the residents of the City of Greenville, including Family Health Service with limited service in Darke County during CY2012. The city service would operate Monday through Friday 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Saturday 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m, and Sunday from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Fares are $1.50 for elderly and disabled, $3.00 for the general public. No notice is needed for city service. Limited County service is available during the same hours with fares at the city rate, plus $1.00 per loaded mile if a driver is available, up to 5 miles. These services are for all residents, including disabled users.
Proposed changes would eliminate the Dayton/Miami County area daily route as well as the Dayton/Piqua Colleges and malls. This would include Greyhound Bus terminal and Dayton Airport. This would be effective October 1, 2011.
The E&D grant will provide State funds to offset the half fares offered to elderly and disabled passengers.
Copies of the detailed service description, proposed changes and project budget may be obtained at the Public Transportation Director’s office, 1425 KitchenAid Way, between 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
A public hearing will be held at an accessible location at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, September 6, 2011, in the Council Chambers in the Municipal Building, 100 Public Square, Greenville, Ohio 45331 during the regularly scheduled City Council Meeting. Note, any request for reasonable accommodations must be received 48 hours in advance.
Michael C. Bowers, Mayor, City of Greenville, Ohio.
I am confused, don't we have the GTS for a reason? perhaps I am not understanding the story!
ReplyDeleteThe City doesn't own this service, anymore. I believe GTS was sold to a company out of California. The reduction of service is probably due to meeting a "bottom-line" number.
ReplyDeleteThe City of Greenville is the Grantee for Greenville Tranist System. The City of Greenville owns all the vehicles and the building all which were purchased thru grants with a 90% grant and 10% local monies. The service has ALWAYS been contracted by a third party. While the parent company is from California, all the drivers, dispatchers and the general manager is local residents, most having driven for GTS for years. The city goes out for bids for the service every 5 years and looks for the lowest and best bidder. Drivers, dispatchers and the General Manager are NOT city employees. The City of Greenville chooses to contract the service out to keep government small and to save taxpayers money as it is bid out keeping everything competitive. We are fortunate to have a public transit system in our area and GTS has always had wonderful drivers who care about their customers.
ReplyDeleteI wanted to add that the one full time city employee that overseas the program (me), and the part-time city building maintenance person all had their hours reduced as part of the city cut backs. Transit hours will not change. Transit's ridership increased 23% last year and is up 8% this year. The reason we are eliminating the Dayton/Troy trips is to keep more drivers in Greenville to accomodate the increase in ridership here and to eliminate duplicate service since there is other transportation available for those going to Dayton/Troy. Also, transit will not purchase any capital for 2012 as a cost cutting measure.
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