Expanded transportation services to assist with employment opportunities announced last month by the Ohio Valley Regional Transportation Authority (OVRTA) and the Eastern Ohio Regional Transit Authority (EORTA) kicked off with the start of the new year.

In addition to a new route to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) in Moundsville and Reynolds Memorial Hospital (RMH) in Glen Dale, the two authorities are providing van transportation earlier in the morning and later in the evening for people who need to get to jobs or job interviews. The expanded services are on a trial basis and will run until July 3.

“There have been folks utilizing the new services, but we hope to continue to increase the number of passengers as more people become informed of what is now available,” said OVRTA/EORTA Executive Director Lisa Weishar.

The expansion of the transportation options comes after several groups and individuals who are transit system customers as well as public service providers addressed the OVRTA and the EORTA boards in November with ideas for enhanced transit options. The OVRTA and the EORTA boards, during a joint meeting in December, approved service to Reynolds Memorial Hospital in Glen Dale and the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) in Moundsville as well as a service for job opportunities. 

The bus service to Moundsville runs between the Intermodal Transportation Center in Wheeling and the Department of Motor Vehicles in Moundsville with a stop at Reynolds Memorial Hospital only. This service is designed to provide weekly access to the DMV via public transportation on Tuesdays and Thursdays only.  Please see OVRTA/EORTA’s website at http://ovrta.org/ for this bus schedule. Weishar said the two Marshall County stops were chosen because many people seek medical care at RMH and in order to gain employment, people need a driver’s license or ID card that can only be obtained through the DMV.

The service for job opportunities provides van transportation for individuals who need a ride to work or to a job interview between 6-9 a.m. and 6-9 p.m., Monday through Saturday. The transportation will be provided in the West Virginia or Ohio service areas. 

Individuals can access the van service by first registering with OVRTA/EORTA by calling 304-232-2190 and speaking with Kevin Davis. Riders can make a reservation with OVRTA/EORTA up to two weeks prior to the date of the needed transportation. The cost is $2.60 each time a person boards the van. Tokens or cash will be accepted for the van service. Bus passes are not accepted. Tokens can be purchased through the Token Transit app that can be downloaded onto smart phones from the appropriate app store. Bus passes for multiple months also can be purchased via the app or for up to one year at OVRTA/EORTA at 21 S. Huron St., Wheeling.