The Isothermal Rural Planning Organization (RPO) is hosting a series of community input sessions in the region to solicit input for a coordinated transit plan for Rutherford, Polk and McDowell Counties.

This plan is expected to be an update to an existing plan and is developed through a partnership among the Isothermal RPO and the community transportation providers for each county.

This coordinated transit plan will identify transit needs, priorities and strategies, for inter-county transit service in the region. Coordinated transit plans in rural areas have traditionally focused primarily on meeting the needs of the elderly and disabled, and not on serving commuters. Concerns over fuel prices, potential changes to Medicaid transportation and new commuting patterns have changed that discussion.

This plan will identify service needs and potential projects. Certain funding sources require that this planning takes place first before the transit providers can apply for funds.

As part of the planning process, a public workshop is scheduled in Polk County to solicit information on gaps in service and potential solutions from interested citizens and those who work with transit regularly.

Polk County

Location: R. Jay Foster Hall of Justice

Bryant Womack Justice and Administration Building

Address: 40 Courthouse St, Columbus, NC 28722

Date: May 23, 2013

Time: 3-5 p.m.

Anyone who has questions or would like to provide feedback but cannot attend the meeting can contact the RPO staff member, Karyl Fuller, at 828-287-2281 or kfuller@regionc.org or Dianne Timberlake, PCTA Director, at 828-894-8203 or dtimberlake@polknc.org.

– article submitted by Dianne Timberlake