Gettysburg expects to lose public transit system Dec. 30th

(Gettysburg) — A popular public transit service in Gettysburg is slated to shut down at the end of the year. Butsome leaders across Adams County are trying to come up with a solution to keep it going.

Communities were asked to pledge more than $65,000 to unlock funds from the state to keep Freedom Transit running in Gettysburg into 2014.

Since no group stepped up, the operator says it will shut down the free trolley and only run an express bus to Harrisburg until the end of June 2014.

But community leaders have planned a meeting Monday to find ways to raise the needed dollars.

“There’s a sizable number of individuals who really have begun utilizing the service in their daily activities. They’re using it to go to work, go to the grocery store, go to medical appointments. These are individuals who don’t have access to an automobile or who have disabilities, who are not able to drive. It’s really become a lifeline service to them,” said Richard Farr, Executive Director of Rabbit Transit.

The service averages 12 riders per hour, compared to the national average of seven for a rural public transportation.

As part of the scheduled shutdown, the county will also lose nearly $900,000 in federal funds for natural gas infrastructure like vehicle conversions or fueling stations.

“It’s very sad to see all that time and energy, on a program that’s showing progress, to go away. If the service was declining, it’s an easy decision to make, it’s not something that’s being utilized, we shouldn’t offer this program,” said Farr.

“It’s growing, and that’s the part that’s most frustrating.”

Farr says five full-time employees may have to be laid off if Freedom Transit ends operations December 30th.