Commissioner raises transit service concerns after provider ride; seeks bus stops near pharmacies and county services

Commissioner Sofranco told the Carbon County Board of Commissioners on June 19, 2025 that he and a colleague rode with the county’s transit provider to review service points and identify gaps, and he reported several specific stop requests to improve access for residents.

"We are aware of pharmacies being closed especially in Lehighton on Front Street," Commissioner Sofranco said, and he asked that a convenient bus stop be located for an independent pharmacy on First Street in Lehighton. He also said an existing stop at Susquehanna and Ray Street in Jim Thorpe should continue to serve courthouse‑area needs including the public defender’s office, domestic relations, veterans affairs, elections and adult probation.

Sofranco said the county discussed placing a stop at Carbon Monroe Drug and Alcohol and at the Carbon County Children & Youth office, and that the county will install stops if those offices provide site information and photographs. "If they provide the proper information and pictures as to where they would like those bus stops, they will be installed there," he said.

Commissioners discussed funding for possible late‑evening runs. "We would also be looking to the state for additional funding for transit that we could offset the cost to provide some type of evening runs for those individuals who need a bus service in the evening," Sofranco said, and added that eliminating or restructuring certain fixed routes could free resources for evening service. He emphasized that no decision had been made and that such changes depend on funding availability.

Sofranco noted the county explored whether long single‑day round trips could be restructured to reduce travel time for riders. "We had a long conversation about how we could better utilize the funding that's going to that area," he said, adding that any service redesign must preserve access for people traveling for groceries, medical appointments and county services.

The commissioner said he will provide talking points to the press and that county staff and the transit provider are cooperating on possible adjustments. No formal motion or vote on transit funding or schedule changes was recorded at the meeting.

The discussion followed brief questions from other commissioners about how potential changes would be financed; the transcript shows the county would pursue state funding and examine internal route adjustments but records no formal direction to staff to implement evening service.