Doylestown Supervisors Pull TMA Funding

Hoping to extend a lifeline to the only public transportation in the area, Doylestown Township Supervisors on Tuesday night said they would make $1,400 available immediately for financially troubled Doylestown DART and consider a bigger contribution as part of their 2012 budget. 

Rather than pay their $1,400 in annual dues to TMA Bucks County, which used to run the service, the township will give that money to Bucks County Transport, Inc. for the DART bus, a shuttle service used primarily by elderly and disabled residents of the township and borough. 

Township Manager Stephanie Mason told supervisors discussions are underway to indentify funding sources that would keep the DART bus alive past June 30. She said several businesses, including Delaware Valley College, have expressed interesting in maintaining the service.

DART began a decade ago as a way to connect SEPTA bus and regional rail stops to destinations throughout the area. Late last year, TMA Bucks County, which operated what was known as the Rushbus under a contract with the federal government’s Job Access and Reverse Commute program, announced its funding had been cut, . 

But between the county and Bucks County Transport, Inc. kept the service running. In January, the Bucks County Commissioners came up with $45,000 and Doylestown Borough chipped in with $5,000 to keep the service running through the end of June. 

The bus runs five days a week and makes stops at Grundy Hall, Neshaminy Manor, Doylestown's SEPTA train station, Delaware Valley College, Doylestown Hospital, the Bucks County Courthouse and the Central Bucks Senior Center. 

A recent study showed about 50 people using the service each day, , said Mason. While ridership is down, officials expect activity to pick up in the spring, she said. 

Mason said a new flier and brochure are being developed to attract more riders. 

“We are looking at other avenues, what other communities that provide the same service are doing,” said Mason. 

Previously, Sen. Chuck McIlhinney has said he is confident he can get state money, possibly from a grant, to reimburse the county for its investment. He also is working to obtain state funding to pick up where the county leaves off this summer.

Assuming additional funding sources can be found, Mason said the township will look to match the borough’s contribution in 2012.