Ohio Valley Regional Transportation Authority buses will head to The Highlands on Saturdays this holiday season, as the board voted Tuesday to expand runs to the retail development on a trial basis.

Board member Charles Ballouz moved to extend bus service from Wheeling to The Highlands on Saturdays in addition to OVRTA's normal runs there during weekdays. Ballouz believes Saturday runs would help make the route more productive, noting at least six people currently ride the bus to their places of employment at The Highlands.

"If that can be done," said Ballouz, "that's going to show some nice figures."

Ballouz added that with retailers hiring part-time employees to help with the holiday rush, extending service to Saturdays would make transportation more convenient for workers as well as shoppers.

After some quick calculations, OVRTA Executive Director Tom Hvizdos told board members that providing eight hours of service to The Highlands on Saturdays through the holidays would cost between $4,000 and $6,000.

"Logistically, we could probably get that done," Hvizdos said of extending service during Saturdays in November and December.

He noted, however, that ridership would likely have to quadruple during the holiday season for the board to break even on such an endeavor. Ed Kuca, Benwood mayor and OVRTA board member, said those figures should raise eyebrows.

"We have to be looking at this as a business," Kuca said. "If it were my own business, I wouldn't be too happy with those figures."

McMechen Mayor Mike Gracik agreed, but noted it's important to strike a balance between running a business and rider convenience.

A roll call vote was tied, with Wheeling City Manager and board President Bob Herron, Ballouz, Ohio County Commissioner Tim McCormick and Marshall County Commissioner Donald Mason voting in favor; Wheeling Councilwoman Gloria Delbrugge, Bethlehem Mayor Garrett Daniel, Gracik and Kuca voted against.

However, the motion carried because the weight of each member's vote is based on the level of monetary contribution from the municipality or county they represent. Wheeling contributes the most money; thus, the motion carried because two of Wheeling's three representatives - Herron, Delbrugge and Ballouz - voted in favor, Hvizdos said.

Nov. 6 is the first Saturday in November. Hvizdos said he will move forward with the board's request and that extended service to The Highlands likely will begin on that day.

In another matter, the board approved OVRTA's budget for the Robert C. Byrd Intermodal Transportation Center. According to Hvizdos, operating costs are projected at $370,708, up $14,000 from last year, and operating revenue is projected at $219,900, a $10,300 increase over last year. Hvizdos attributed the increased costs to the recent increase in the federal minimum wage and higher electricity costs at the garage.

Hvizdos said the city of Wheeling would contribute $150,808 to make up for the shortfall, a slight increase over last year.

Ballouz also expressed concern over security at the intermodal center, particularly at night. He said he hardly ever sees a police officer there during the evening hours and asked Hvizdos if added security is only present during special events. Hvizdos said he believed that was the case, and Ballouz requested that he look into the possibility of an increased security presence at the downtown parking garage.