MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — All property taxpayers in Monongalia County will be able to ride Mountain Line buses for free under a new initiative.
Mountain Line Executive Director Dave Bruffy said voters approval of a 2016 excess levy provides $1.8 million annual funding to cover the passes.
According to Bruffy, levy income is used to offset $450,000 from the county commission due to reduced coal severance money, expand service in the area and purchase new equipment.
“The taxpayers support public transit through the excess property tax levy they approved back in 2016,” Bruffy said,”Through a series of conversations with our board of directors the authorities decided that we would like to encourage people by offering a bus pass to anyone paying property taxes.”
The program offers a year-long pass for unlimited rides and transfers.
Residents who pay from $1 to $1,000 in taxes are eligible for one pass. Residents paying from $1001 to $2,000 in taxes quality for two passes.
Bruffy doesn’t expect the plan to have a negative effect on cash flow.
“Our total fare box take is about $165,000,” Bruffy said,”I don’t imagine that all of that is going to be wiped out, because we have football fares included in that, visitors coming to town and new riders.”
There are scheduled opportunities for residents to learn more about the program.
Westover City Hall — 5 p.m. on October 29
500 DuPont Road, Westover, WV 26501
Granville Town Hall — 1 p.m. on October 30
1245 Main Street, Granville, WV 26534
Mountain Line Transit Board Meeting — 12 p.m. on Nov. 13 at Mountain Line’s Westover headquarters.