MTA Announces Startup of Pocahontas Public Transit Service

Tim Thomas The CEO of the Mountain Transit Authority, or MTA, has sent out an official notification that transit bus service in Pocahontas County will begin on Monday September 30^th. The Bartow Route, which will run Monday through Friday will begin that day, and the Marlinton Loop Service, which will operate only on Tuesdays and Thursdays, will begin on Tuesday, October 1^st.

The Marlinton Loop Route will service downtown Marlinton, the Hospital and Edray, It will leave 2^nd Avenue across from the City Hall hourly every Tuesday and Thursday starting at 9:00 am with the last loop beginning at 3:00 pm. There will be stops at the Courthouse, Lucy’s Grocery, the 6^th Street Apartments, City Hall, Rite Aid and Pocahontas Memorial Hospital before returning to the City Hall to begin the next loop on the hour.  All Tuesday and Thursday Service to Edray must be scheduled in advance by calling (304) 872-5872. Fares for the Marlinton Loop are $1.00, except to Rite Aid and the Hospital, the fare is $2.00.

The Bartow Commuter Route will run twice daily, Monday through Friday. The morning run will leave city Hall at 5:30 a.m. and arrive at Interstate Hardwoods in Bartow at 6:55 a.m., then returning to City Hall at 8:25 a.m. and the afternoon run will begin at City Hall at 3:30 p.m. arriving at Interstate Hardwoods at 4:55 p.m., then departing Interstate Hardwoods at 5:00 p.m. for the return to City Hall arriving there at 6:25 p.m. The Bartow Route will include stops both coming and going in Huntersville, Dunmore, Green Bank, and Arbovale. The fare for the entire trip will be $5.00 each way, with lesser amounts ranging from $1.00 to $4.00 for people getting on or getting off at one of those stops along the way.

Complete time schedules and fare rates for all of the stops along both the Marlinton Loop and the Bartow Commuter Route as well as for the Snowshoe Route -which will not start until December 1^st, can be found with this story on our website – www.alleghneymountainradio.org.

MTA buses do not operate on Federal Holidays and in Dec. 24, 25, 26 & 31.

Thomas included a list of tips for riding the MTA buses, which include:

• The bus will not stop unless passengers are visible alongside the main road. When passengers see the bus approaching, wave your hand at the driver to indicate that you wish the bus to stop.
• Not all watches are set to the same time, so be at the bus stop early!
• ANYONE can ride the bus! MTA does not discriminate
• All buses have wheelchair lift equipment.
• 3/4-mile deviation service is available. Please call at least the day before to schedule your ride. Additional charges may apply.
• For your safety, please be seated quickly after boarding and remain seated until the bus comes to a complete stop.
• Loud music or noise is not permitted on buses. No disorderly conduct is permitted on buses. Anyone not complying will be asked to leave the bus.
• Federal regulations ban smoking and drinking on buses.
• No pets are allowed on buses except service animals.

Thomas said that service on the Snowshoe Route is seasonal, starting on December 1^st of each year through March 29^th, and again running from Memorial Day through Labor Day.

LINKS TO EXACT SCHEDULES AND FAIRS

The Marlinton Loop: 9-24-19 MTA Marlinton Schedule

The Bartow Loop: 9-24-19 MTA Bartow Schedule

The Snowshoe Route: 9-24-19 MTA Snowshoe Schedule