After much planning, Weirton Transit Corp. is kicking off the operation of some expanded routes in an attempt to not only better serve the Weirton community, but also some of our neighbors.
Routes are now being offered to provide public transit to residents of New Cumberland and Follansbee, with two stops currently planned in each community before giving those riders an opportunity to also come into Weirton.
We think this will be a good move for everyone involved, and encourage all residents to make use of this service.
Public transportation programs are not always offered in communities the size of ours, and the fact Weirton Transit has not only been able to continue operating but also expand shows just how much our residents would like such services to continue.
The new routes will feature stops at Hancock House and Sparkle in New Cumberland and at Family Dollar and Dollar General Market in Follansbee, before coming back into Weirton.
This will be a big help for people who need to travel between the towns, or even just get from one end of their community to the other.
While it currently is operating only on Tuesdays and Thursdays, officials say if they see a need for increased operation they will work to see that it can be done.
We are always hearing about the need for more regional approaches in our services, and this program is a great example of what that means.
Public transit is an important service for our communities, especially for those residents who would otherwise have no other way to get around town.
Perhaps someday, if the funding is available and the need is still there, these routes can be expanded to include additional routes not only in Weirton, New Cumberland and Follansbee, but also in Chester, Newell, Colliers, Wellsburg, Bethany, New Manchester and Beech Bottom.
