Public transportation in the Upper Ohio Valley will be expanding on a trial basis as a result of public input during a public hearing last month. Several groups and individuals who are transit system customers as well as public service providers who are knowledgeable and passionate addressed the Ohio Valley Regional Transportation Authority (OVRTA) and the Eastern Ohio Regional Transit Authority (EORTA) boards with ideas for enhanced transit options.

The OVRTA and the EORTA boards, during a joint meeting Wednesday, approved service to Reynolds Memorial Hospital in Glen Dale and the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) in Moundsville as well as a service for job opportunities. The trial period will run from Jan. 3, 2023 – July 3, 2023.

“We listened to what the people had to say about their desires for public transportation, but now we have to see what the need is, and the implementation of these services will assist us with that,” said OVRTA/EORTA Executive Director Lisa Weishar.

The bus service to Moundsville will run between the Intermodal Transportation Center in Wheeling and the Department of Motor Vehicles in Moundsville with a stop at Reynolds Memorial Hospital only. This service is designed to provide weekly access to the DMV via public transportation on Tuesdays and Thursdays only.  Please see OVRTA/EORTA’s website at http://ovrta.org/ for this bus schedule.

The service for job opportunities will provide van transportation for individuals who need a ride to work or to a job interview between 6-9 a.m. and 6-9 p.m., Monday through Saturday. The transportation will be provided in our West Virginia or Ohio service areas. 

Individuals can access the van service by first registering with OVRTA/EORTA by calling 304-232-2190 and speaking with Kevin Davis. Riders can make a reservation with OVRTA/EORTA up to two weeks prior to the date of the needed transportation. The cost is $2.60 each time a person boards the van. Tokens or cash will be accepted for the van service. Bus passes will not be accepted. 

“I am pleased that both boards carefully listened to the people who felt strongly enough about the value of public transportation to voice ideas on how to enhance public transportation for our citizens and communities. I want to commend both boards for their responsive and quick action,” said Wheeling City Manager and OVRTA Board Chair Robert Herron. “We will do everything we can to make these changes successful during the trial period. Hopefully, job seekers, businesses and employees will avail themselves of this exciting and new service. Please note that other ideas mentioned in the public hearing will be reviewed and considered by the boards in the next few months.”

Weishar said tokens can be purchased through the Token Transit app that can be downloaded onto smart phones from the appropriate app store. Bus passes for multiple months also can be purchased via the app or for up to one year at OVRTA/EORTA at 21 S. Huron St., Wheeling.