Big changes are in store for one of our local public transit providers.

As we’ve been reporting for several months, Weirton Transit Corp. is in the midst of financial difficulties, in part, because of a hefty amount of unpaid taxes and the resulting penalties. These issues, according to the WTC Board, were discovered in the late summer and early fall of 2021, although board members didn’t openly discuss these issues for about a year, opting instead to focus on growth opportunities during their public meetings.

Those growth opportunities, though, either had to be canceled or have been limited in recent months as WTC has essentially run out of funds to operate properly until at least the beginning of the 2023-24 fiscal year on July 1. Much of that is because of the effort to pay off the approximately $125,000 owed to the IRS, which was assisted by $75,000 in additional funds from Weirton Council. There also was the launch of the new Follansbee route, despite not receiving any financial support to operate it, increased fuel prices and other contributing factors.

Public transit, while providing a valuable and important service to the community, has its financial restrictions just as with any other business. Weirton Transit can access certain federal grant dollars, but how much is dependent upon how much local funds are available to them.

WTC routinely receives $75,000 from the City of Weirton. The Hancock County Commission has provided some funding over the years, but the amount has varied and has never been guaranteed. Brooke County has, on occasion, provided a contribution, but that too has never been guaranteed.

The Transit board previously has looked into the possibility of a levy, but none of those efforts have been successful to date. The last time a proposal was placed on the ballot was during Weirton’s 2015 municipal election. That year, it actually went before voters twice, receiving a 57% approval (1,493 to 1,136) during the primary, and 54.4% (1,932 to 1,611) during the general. Unfortunately for them, state law dictates such a levy needs a 60% approval to pass.

Officials had discussed a levy again in 2018, but, for some reason, it never made it onto Weirton’s 2019 ballot.

In a time where many families have multiple vehicles at their disposal, we often take for granted the availability of public transit. We don’t think about those who don’t have a personal vehicle, or perhaps are unable to drive. Weirton, though, has many of those individuals living within the community.

Imagine, for example, an elderly resident who has relied on public transit to make it to their medical appointments, or those who have to ride the bus to Three Springs Drive to go grocery shopping because another viable option isn’t available to them in the city’s downtown. Think about those who aren’t able to afford a car, and use WTC’s services in order to make it to their job. I’ve even heard of some who like to get on the bus and just ride around town simply because it provides them an opportunity to get out of their homes and maybe even socialize a little bit.

Weirton Transit provides these services through its various routes. It also helps to transport students to our Catholic schools during the school year, and has been contracted to provide a shuttle service for various events over the years, including Weirton’s summer concerts, the Hancock County Oldtime Fair and Follansbee Community Days.

Now, imagine none of those services are available anymore.

We’re probably going to get a taste of what that’s like in June. After that, Weirton Transit officials are going to be challenged to come up with a viable operational strategy which could include fewer routes to serve the people of Weirton. We’ll find out more when the WTC board meets Monday night.

(Howell, a resident of Colliers, is managing editor of The Weirton Daily Times, and can be contacted at chowell@weirtondailytimes.com or followed on Twitter @CHowellWDT)