Public transit to be addressed in Chester County

CHESTER COUNTY

Public transportation to be addressed

EXTON Chester County residents will have an opportunity to tell the county how it can improve public transit at a meeting next month.

The Chester County Planning Commission and the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission are developing a county-wide plan for transportation and capital project improvements, and want public input. In a county where driving is often the most convenient transportation option, the plan aims to make using public transportation more attractive by making it more accessible and easier to use, said Randy Waltermyer, a director on the Chester County Planning Commission.

The loss of four of the county's public bus routes in the last five years due to low ridership was one driving factor behind the Public Transportation Plan, which focuses on bus and rail service in the short and long term, Waltermyer said.

"We have seen the interest in public transportation and, honestly, the frustration with having to drive everywhere and not having a choice of public transportation," Waltermyer said.

The county hopes to adopt the plan by fall 2014.

The public meeting will be held Feb. 5 from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at the Chester County Library in Exton.

- Michaelle Bond