The
Weirton Transit Corporation began operations on June 1, 1990. It was
preceded by a period of 10 years (1978-1988) in which there was no
public transportation service in Weirton. The WTC has an agreement in
place with the City of Weirton to provide the public transportation
service utilizing the FTA Section 5307 funds which are allocated to the
City of Weirton area each year.
Since the City of Weirton is the designated recipient, they have the
ultimate responsibility for the administration of the Grant. These
federal funds are necessary for the operations of the public transit
service are passed through the City to the WTC. The federal f=grant
monies are matched with an annual subsidy to WTC. Along with the annual
allocation of cash funding to WTC, the City provides numerous in-kind
services that are also used as part of the required local match for the
federal grants. The WTC facilities are housed within the Weirton city
building and the equipment is housed in the city’s Public Works garage.
WTC
provides service utilizing three small passenger buses with two in
service and one held in reserve. The current service operates entirely
within the City of Weirton. WTC currently operates a main route and also
a demand response service. The regular route follows an hourly schedule
but does deviate from the route on occasion to ensure handicap access to
public transportation. The demand response unit provides service to
individuals with special consideration and requires 24 hours prior
notice for scheduling.
The
WTC is directed by a Board of Trustees that is comprised of private
citizens of the City of Weirton. The Board has operated since July 1,
1990. The members of the Board are not limited to a term of office, but
rather may serve indefinitely. In the event a board member must be
replaced, new members are selected by the remaining board members. The
vacancy is advertised in the local newspaper with a solicitation for
interested individuals to submit a resume. Interviews are conducted by a
panel of the existing board and recommendations are approved by the
Board in an official business meeting. Resumes are evaluated based on
qualifications, interests and references provided by the applicant. WTC
does not discriminate bus privileges due to race, gender, disability,
sexual orientation, or religious affiliation.
The Weirton Transit Corporation
operates bus service on a route deviated basis. The Route Buses will
follow the set route schedule. If necessary along the route, the buses
will deviate from the set route to accommodate passenger needs, and then
return to the route and continue along its set route. This bus will
operate on a curb-to-curb basis. It is recommended that requests for
deviated services on the bus be made 24 hours in advance, however, same
day requests will be accommodated when possible. The stop times listed
for the Main Route are based on stop times with no requested deviations,
therefore, it is possible the bus can be later than the stops times
listed by several minutes. The routes are designed to provide service in
less than 1 hour. In order to keep this bus running closer to listed
schedule, it is recommended that riders catch the bus along the Main
Route as much as possible. Deviation from the route requests will
be accommodated on a first come/first serve and as available basis and
must be requested 24 hours in advance by calling the WTC office at
797-8597. The WTC will do its best to accommodate all trip requests. WTC
does no discriminate bus privileges due to race, gender, disability,
sexual orientation, or religious affilation.
