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Eastern Panhandle Transit Authority seeks $150,000 local match to secure federal funding
Summary
Eastern Panhandle Transit Authority requested $150,000 from Berkeley County to meet local-match requirements tied to federal operating and capital funds and described recent ridership gains and capital projects.
Eastern Panhandle Transit Authority Executive Director Elaine Bartelson asked the Berkeley County Commission for $150,000 in local funding to meet matching requirements that support federal operating and capital allocations.
Bartelson told the commission that EPTA requires $1.4 million in local match to secure its full federal allocation and currently generates about $975,000 in contract revenue; local jurisdictions’ contributions fill the remainder. She said last fiscal year ridership rose 94% to just under 266,000 trips and that the authority expects continued recovery from pandemic lows.
The request would increase Berkeley County’s contribution from the prior year. Bartelson described how EPTA uses local funds for operating assistance, and outlined capital purchases and projects funded or in progress: replacement of two 26-passenger buses with federal capital matching funds (an 80/20 match), one expansion bus funded by the Volkswagen settlement, bus stop wayfinding signs, six replacement buses and four ADA-equipped minivans for nonemergency medical transportation, and construction of a new Martinsburg transit facility with an anticipated move-in date in early 2026.
Bartelson said EPTA is working with the Eastern Panhandle Metropolitan Planning Organization on a five-year Transportation Development Plan that prioritizes route redesigns to serve the new downtown Martinsburg facility and possible expansion to Spring Mills. She also reported that 26% of riders were new in the past year, 42% use the service to commute to work, and 51% said they could not make their trip if service were not available.
Commissioners asked about vehicle costs (about $300,000 for buses; about $75,000 for ADA minivans) and about EPTA’s revenue structure; Bartelson said contract revenue is about $975,000 and total system revenue including grants is roughly $1.4 million. The commission indicated appreciation for EPTA’s service and flexibility to adjust routes.
Ending: Bartelson said she would forward supporting materials to the commission and asked for consideration of the $150,000 request; commissioners did not decide the appropriation during the morning session.
