by Leah Justice
leah.justice@tryondailybulletin.com

The Polk County Transportation Authority has applied for two grants recently in order to provide a new bus route for passengers within the county to ride without a reservation.

The Polk County Board of Commissioners approved two grant applications in November for the transportation authority after holding public hearings.

The first grant is a request for $163,000 from the N.C. Department of Transportation (DOT) from the Section 5310 Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities Program. Transportation authority director Dianne Timberlake said the program is structured to address new services to communities, which fits Polk’s proposed new route along Hwy. 108. The grant funding would be used for operating salaries for drivers, dispatcher and scheduler.

“Approval of the grant would allow citizens to travel at their convenience without a reservation,” Timberlake said. “Currently, all passengers are required to call two business days ahead for trips inside the county.”

The route would be from Tryon to Mill Spring along Hwy. 108 if the grant is approved.

Timberlake said while the route is designed to address the needs of the elderly and those with disabilities, her office realizes that many others will appreciate the freedom of traveling along the stretch at their convenience.

Another grant application was to the DOT Appalachian Development Transportation Assistance Program, which is offered to the 29 counties in the Appalachian region.

The transportation authority has requested $30,000 for bus stops along the new Tryon to Mill Spring route, signage on the vehicles to notify the public and the installation of fare boxes for security.

The grant, if approved, will include $25,000 from the grant and a $5,000 county match.

Approval of the grants is expected between April and June 2015 so the new service, if approved, is expected to launch by the fall of 2015.

The Polk County Transportation Authority currently works with residents for numerous trips both inside and outside the county.

Several residents participate in work-related transportation services, which are partly funded by the DOT Public Transportation Division. Help is available for residents who need trips to work, job readiness activities, classes, job fairs and interviews.

Just last week, passenger Moses Bunn stopped into the transportation authority office to thank employees for the support he received over the past two years travelling to Isothermal Community College in Spindale. Bunn recently received a bachelor’s degree in broadcasting production and technology as well as the National Engaged Leader Award from the National Society of Leadership and Success.

Bunn was able to achieve his degree as one of several Polk residents who are partially funded to receive transportation through the DOT Public Transportation Division.

Any Polk County resident interested in learning more about transportation funding may call the transportation authority (PCTA) at 828-894-8203 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.