Mon Valley Vans Try to Fill Transit Gap

As the 15% service cuts take effect for the Allegheny County Port Authority, ancillary transit companies are scrambling to fill the holes in service. The Heritage WorkLink Van Service is modifying its job-based transportation to try and keep riders connected to their jobs. WorkLink is federally funded and serves communities throughout the Mon Valley, including Swissvale, Braddock, North Versailles, Jefferson and McKeesport. Michele Adkins, President and CEO of Heritage Community Initiatives says WorkLink Van Service came about because many people in the Mon Valley live on steep hills, putting them out of reach of the Port Authority buses. WorkLink brings riders from hard-to-access areas to bus stops and sometimes to their place of employment. Adkins says they are working hard to figure out how to fill the gaps in service without additional funds, "we are working very closely with the Port Authority and ACCESS so that no one gets stranded. It's going to be a bumpy road, but we're all trying to do the right thing." She says they're also setting up a call line (412-351-0535) so those losing bus service can get help finding a ride to work.