Highlands Bus Service Important
By the News-RegisterA substantial number of businesses at The Highlands are displaying "help wanted" signs. Job openings could be matched with job applicants if a few "bus stop" signs were erected there, Ohio County commissioners were told this week.
Jill Beall, of Workforce West Virginia, urged commissioners to do more to provide public transportation to The Highlands. She told them "it would be great if folks could get to The Highlands to work."
It would, indeed. The Highlands provides excellent job opportunities. But those aimed at entry-level workers sometimes go unfilled because those who would love to have the jobs do not have access to reliable transportation.
A trial bus run to The Highlands was operated for a time by the Ohio Valley Regional Transportation Authority, with financial help from commissioners. It was suspended because it was not being used enough to cover costs.
OVRTA officials are evaluating their service - in its entirety, not just in regard to The Highlands. It is possible that they may decide to try a Highlands run again, with changes calculated to appeal to more riders.
Obviously, service by OVRTA would be the most practical means of providing transportation to and from The Highlands. County commissioners could establish some sort of transit service on their own - and have discussed similar proposals. But OVRTA is the bus service for our area. It already has the equipment and personnel needed to provide the public with transportation.
Providing public transportation to and from The Highlands is important, not just for those who want to work there but also for some area residents who desire to patronize the stores, restaurants and other businesses at the location. While we recognize that implementing such service will not be easy, we encourage OVRTA, commissioners and anyone else who may be able to help to make the project a priority.
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TimSWV
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09-16-08 6:30 PM
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Get real !!! The Highlands and thier ilk had a bus (public funded) many days no one at all even rode it. Admittidly the hours were not perfect, Started out 4 X a day went to 8 X a day. STILL NO RIDERS But surely some one (at least 1 person) could have used it. BUS SERVICE TO THE HIGHLANDS IS A JOKE AND A WASTE OF TAX DOLLARS.
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Sellers
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09-05-08 12:25 PM
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I’m sure owners of businesses in the City of Wheeling (and there are still a few hanging on) would love to see their tax dollars used to subsidize buses to take their few remaining customers and employees up to shop and work at the Highlands. Yep, that will sure be good for the economic health of the city. If the Highlands businesses and Ohio County want to transport customers and employees up to the Highlands, 100 percent of that cost should be paid by those businesses, customers, and employees.
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Momof3
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09-05-08 9:25 AM
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They would have to run the busses until midnight or 1 am during the peak retail shopping times (back to school and Christmas) because most of the retail employees have to stay hours after the stores close to clean up.
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Murray
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09-04-08 9:52 PM
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Sorry -- I'll believe it when I see it!!!!
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theRev
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09-04-08 4:22 PM
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busses stop running at six pm will all those who will ride the bus to work be on day term and not work sundays. so much for equal opportunity employer. i am sorry you have reliable transportation you have to work all night shifts and sundays.
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DavidSims
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09-04-08 3:00 PM
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It is time for the OVRTA system to be overhauled. Over the next few months, the City and the County will be working on that issue.
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DavidSims
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09-04-08 3:00 PM
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It is time for the OVRTA system to be overhauled. Over the next few months, the City and the County will be working on that issue.
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