NEW CASTLE Transit authority begins to save money for buses

More buses are needed to take riders from as far as Youngstown to Pittsburgh.
By LAURE CIOFFI
VINDICATOR NEW CASTLE BUREAU
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- The New Castle Transit Authority plans to sock away $100,000 in federal funding to help buy new buses in the future.
U.S. Rep. Melissa Hart of Bradford Woods, R-4th, presented the check to city officials Tuesday. The money comes from the $820 billion omnibus spending package approved earlier this year by legislators for a number of local projects.
Transit Authority Director Leonard Lastoria said the authority had applied for a $1 million federal grant to help buy four new buses, but were turned down. Lastoria said he intends to put the $100,000 aside and seek more money to buy new buses. The cost per bus runs from $250,000 for a small bus to $280,000 for a large bus.
Lastoria said the authority wants to expand its fleet to add more runs to Pittsburgh.
Standing room only
"We have people standing now on our buses to Pittsburgh," he said. "We are getting flooded and we need a few more buses to access the corridor properly."
Lastoria said that since adding a route to Lincoln Knolls Plaza in Youngstown, the number of riders to Pittsburgh has increased. He also attributes the rise in bus usage to the increased parking taxes levied in Pittsburgh.
"The parking now is sky-high. Our bus ride is $5. By the time you burn your own gas, worry about driving and other traffic and the parking, it makes our price a good deal. People are good shoppers. They know a good bargain," he said.
Lastoria said the transit authority sends three buses to Pittsburgh each morning and three each evening.
Hart spokesman Lee Cohen said the congresswoman is handing out checks this week in her district to entities that received funding through the omnibus appropriations bill.
cioffi@vindy.com