Friday Service Cuts by ASC Postponed

For Immediate Release

April 14, 2010 (Portsmouth) – Last month Access Scioto County (ASC) the Portsmouth area’s public transit system announced that due to lack of funding effective May 3, 2010 it would eliminate Friday service, however the transit system announced today that it is going to try a different approach in trying offset an estimated  $170,000 budget shortfall this year.

Instead of shutting down the entire service the transit system has decided to close its office on Fridays beginning Friday, May 7, 2010.

Passengers will still be able to ride the bus on Fridays however they won’t be able to schedule trips on Fridays or conduct business with the office staff.

“Hopefully we will realize enough savings that we will not have to take the drastic step of totally shutting down the whole system on Fridays”, ASC Transit Coordinator Larry Mullins said.

“So many people depend on us for their transportation to work, school, shopping and medical appointments especially many elderly and disabled and those on fixed incomes who cannot or chose not to drive”, Mullins said.

“I decided to try this cost cutting approach first due to the hardship placed on our passengers in not being able to use our services on Fridays”, Mullins stated.

“We have heard from many of our passengers that they don’t have access to or can’t afford to use alternative forms of transportation in the area and that they don’t know how they will get around without us”, according to Mullins.

“In response to our passengers concerns we are going to try this approach first”, Mullins said.

The transit system’s funding problems can be traced back to the loss of two contracts with the Scioto County Department of Jobs and Family Services (SCJFS) last year that accounted for nearly 30% of the transit system’s annual revenue and resulted in loss of nearly $270,000 in annual operating funds.

For now the transit system’s operating hours will continue to be Monday – Friday from 6AM – 6PM.

For more information about the proposed service changes please contact ASC Coordinator Larry Mullins at 740-353-5626, extension 208.