Clinton County Public Transportation Begins Feb. 20
LOCK HAVEN – At 5:45 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 20 a natural gas-powered River Valley Transit bus will leave Lycoming Mall Drive east of Williamsport. West-bound, shortly after 6 a.m. that day it will take Route 220 across Pine Creek into Clinton County, the official first foray of public transportation into the county in a generation.
Clinton County’s Public Transit Advisory Committee met Monday afternoon with officials from Lycoming County’s River Valley Transit, the agency charged with implementing the new bus routes. They will serve the Lock Haven area from the Clinton/Lycoming County line to the WalMart off Hogan Boulevard in Bald Eagle Township.
The first Feb. 20 trip will be part of the RVT’s “Clinton County Express,” daily early morning and late afternoon buses throughout the Lock Haven area. These will be in addition to a “Clinton County Connector” bus going throughout the Lock Haven area from later in the morning to mid-afternoon.
As explained by RVT’s general manager Bill Nichols (facing camera at advisory committee meeting), “express” bus stops in Clinton County will be at the UPMC/Bald Eagle Court in Wayne Township; Main and Church Streets, Clinton Plaza/STEP Community Center, Lock Haven University, First Quality Lock Haven, Lock Haven Hospital in Lock Haven; and WalMart in Bald Eagle Township. (This will be in addition to regularly scheduled stops between the Lycoming Mall and Jersey Shore in Lycoming County).
“Connector” route stops will be UPMC/Bald Eagle Court, Wayne Township; Clinton Plaza/STEP Community Center, Lock Haven University at Fairview Street, First Quality Lock Haven, Lock Haven Hospital, Clinton County “Piper” Building in Lock Haven; and WalMart in Bald Eagle Township.
Nichols said passengers will be able to get on and off the buses at locations in-between the designated stop areas. He said the stop schedule could be “tweeked” over time, telling his Clinton County audience, “It’s your bus, it’s up to you all.”
The service will operate six days a week, no Sunday or holiday service. A fare will be charged, from as little as $2.25 for a one-day pass to $41 for a 31-day pass. Senior citizens and children under the age of five years may ride free. The several year trial run is being largely underwritten by a state PennDOT grant.
Nichols said “Clinton County Rider Guides” will be circulated locally to make the public aware of the new service. No formal ceremony is planned at this time for the Feb. 20 debut.
