J. Douglas Carter, general manager for the Potomac Valley Transit Authority (PVTA), wants his company to be on the Mineral County listing of positive assets, as he named several of the many county resources, such as libraries, the school system, and Potomac State College.
Carter was the guest speaker at the Mineral County Economic Development Authority on Tuesday. He said that the county has a “progressive location” and is an area to relate PVTA’s mission of “bringing in and stimulating new businesses.”
Carter said the company began in the mid-1970s as a service to the elderly, disabled, and low income families.
During this time, a TRIP program was utilized and qualifying patrons could purchase a book of tickets for transportation purposes at a reduced price.
Carter also mentioned that funding was secured in 1977 from the Federal Highways Commission and shortly thereafter, the PVTA began “in full force” with five buses — three of which were borrowed.
Presently, there are 26 vehicles, including three minivans, that provide 27 regular routes of transportation for area PVTA customers.
With an expected 2008 budget of over a $1 million, Carter noted that PVTA has the “highest cost recovery” transportation system in the state, including those located in the bigger cities of Charleston and Huntington.
He also gave recent statistics involving the number of clients being transported to and from their work places: 43,500. Up to seventy five workers are taken on a daily basis from Mineral County to Moorefield to work at Pilgrim’s Pride.
Carter spoke of the “economic impact” on Mineral County as the PVTA also makes trips for social service agencies, non-medical transports, and loop routes from Keyser to Piedmont, Petersburg, and Cumberland.
Facing challenges with the cost of fuel, Carter stated that within the last five years a 500 percent raise has been realized.
He also gave a report on potential growth for PVTA, which will be to “accommodate the added demand for services,” along with securing more vehicles and increasing manpower.
“We want to redesign our services as we look at what we now do and then revaluate on what more we can do,” Carter added.
Those representing area businesses and agencies may become a regular item on the agenda of the MCEDA as Executive Director Mona Ridder suggested that speakers be brought in for the promotion of economic development for the county.
KEYSER, W.Va. —
