RIDGWAY — The North Central Pennsylvania Regional Planning and Development Commission is updating its Regional Coordinated Public Transit – Human Services Transportation Plan for the six-county planning region that includes Cameron, Clearfield, Elk, Jefferson, McKean and Potter counties.
The plan will serve as a critical tool for regional multi-modal transit planning and sets the direction for the region to improve public transportation options and promote mobility of those dependent on transit. The Coordinated Plan requirements place a large emphasis on stakeholder engagement and public involvement to ensure that the plan is designed by, and benefits, those who need and use public transportation.
The Coordinated Plan will include the identification of transportation needs of individuals with disabilities, seniors and people with low incomes; provide strategies for meeting the identified local needs; prioritization of transportation services for funding and implementation; and maximize the programs’ collective coverage by minimizing duplicative services.
As part of the update process, the Commission is inviting residents of Cameron, Clearfield, Elk, Jefferson, McKean and Potter counties to participate in listening sessions scheduled throughout the region between March 23 and March 31. Attendees of the listening session will have the opportunity to share their opinions, interests and concerns about North Central Pennsylvania’s regional transit system with Commission staff members.
Public input from these sessions will help direct the final plan recommendations and advance future projects aimed at improving reliability, safety and mobility within the transportation system.
The North Central Commission has also made available an online survey to gather public input and opinions of those who are unable to attend a listening session. The online survey can be completed at https://rpo.ncentral.com/human-service-coordination
For anyone who is unable to attend these meetings who would like a paper version of the survey, contact Bert Lahrman at blahrman@ncentral.com or 814-773-3162 ext. 3012.
Listening sessions are scheduled as follows:
Potter County:
• March 23, 10 to 11:30 a.m., Coudersport Senior Center, 171 Route 6 West, 6th St., Coudersport
• March 23, 2 to 3:30 p.m., Pennsylvania Lumber Museum, 5660 US Route 6 West, Ulysses
McKean County:
• March 24, 10 to 11:30 a.m., Bradford Public Library, 67 W. Washington St., Bradford
• March 24, 2 to 3:30 p.m., Mount Jewett Senior Center, 8 E. Main St., Mount Jewett
Elk County:
• March 25, 9:30 to 11:00 a.m., St. Marys CEC, 4 Erie Ave, 3rd floor, St. Marys
• March 25, 2 to 3:30 p.m., Ridgway Courthouse Annex, 300 Center St., Room #2, Ridgway
Cameron County:
• March 26, 9:30 to 11:00 a.m., Driftwood Senior Center, 7806 Bridge St., Driftwood
• March 26, 2 to 3:30 p.m., Emporium Fire Hall, 419 N. Broad St., Emporium
Cameron County.
The North Central Commission is leading the update of the Regional Coordinated Public Transit – Human Services Transportation Plan, in cooperation with PennDOT and technical consulting assistance from Michael Baker International Inc. It is being guided by a project advisory committee consisting of representatives from the region’s human services and transit agencies.
