WHEELING - Ridership data from the first two weeks of new public bus runs to The Highlands and Moundsville is in.
The new service runs began June 15. Tom Hvizdos, Ohio Valley Regional Transportation Authority executive director, said during The Highlands' first week, the average number of passenger trips was 53, meaning there were 26-27 actual riders. For Moundsville's first week, the average number of passenger trips was 52, or about 26 actual riders.
The second week's numbers showed about a 45-percent decrease in ridership to both locations, he said. For example, The Highlands' passenger trips decreased to 29, or about 14-15 actual riders, and Moundsville's passenger trips decreased to 28, or 14 actual riders.
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More data is needed before new bus runs to The Highlands shopping development, shown here, and Moundsville can be judged, says Tom Hvizdos, Ohio Valley Regional Transportation Authority executive director.
Hvizdos noted, however, that two weeks is not enough time to accurately judge the success of the new routes. More time will reveal a pattern.
"We expected to see some drop after the initial promotion," Hvizdos said. "You can't draw conclusions from two weeks' worth of data."
He noted the four runs through Blaine to the Ohio Valley Plaza near St. Clairsville averages 80 passenger trips, or 40 actual riders. During the first week of the new runs, the Ohio Valley Plaza ridership decreased. He attributed that decrease to people trying the new routes. He did not have data related to the second week's impact.
"People appear to be trying out other options," Hvizdos said, noting he hopes new customers are created because of the new routes.
"We're not replacing the automobile out there, but we're providing a good alternative," he said.
Hvizdos has spoke with Moundsville seniors wishing for additional service in their city. He said he's reminded people the service to Moundsville was meant to provide communities with existing bus levies new places to shop - not to provide complete service throughout the city.
"I've had a number of calls from the Moundsville area asking why can't the buses stop at the senior high rises. ... I told them to contact their City Council and ask for a levy," Hvizdos said. "Some said they would do that. Some say, 'Oh,' and hang up."
The new runs operate 8:15 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.
The next OVRTA board meeting is tentatively set for July 21.