Bus Service Rolls Into Tucker County
Plus, the Wall Street Journal takes an interest in data center controversy
By Mat Cloak, contributing writer
Public transportation will arrive in Tucker County July 1, when three ADA-compliant buses equipped with bike racks begin weekday rides within the county.
Riders will pay $2 to board the 18-passenger buses, and an additional $1 for each “zone” of the county traveled. A one-way ride from Parsons to Canaan Valley is estimated to cost about $5. Seniors age 65 and older will get a 50 percent discount.
A monthly pass with unlimited rides will cost $60. Riders will pay by cash or app.
The service will be operated by Potomac Valley Transit Authority (PVTA), which already operates in nearby counties. General Manager Doug Pixler said the PVTA welcomes feedback from community members about their needs as the bus service works to establish routes and times. Pixler said stops will most likely be at state parks, Cortland Acres, grocery stores, and apartment complexes throughout the county.
“We won’t start with evenings but may open that service up if there’s demand,” Pixler said.
The bus service will help people without cars get to and from work, attend appointments, and go grocery shopping, Pixler said. “We want ridership, and we want to create opportunities for people,” he said.
In addition to local service, PVTA will offer weekly trips to Oakland and Elkins with an anticipated one-way cost of less than $10. PVTA is also considering a route to Morgantown.
Parsons Mayor Bruce Kolsun welcomed the arrival of public transportation in the county. “It’s something that has been necessary for a long time,” Kolsun said.
PVTA has operated in Eastern West Virginia for more than 40 years. They currently operate in Grant, Hampshire, Hardy, Mineral, and Pendleton counties. After securing state and federal funding, they are expanding their service area to include Tucker and Morgan counties. Local taxes are not funding PVTA’s operation in Tucker County.
In its other counties of operations, PVTA offers non-emergency medical transport.
PVTA is exploring additional services in Tucker County including pop-up routes for special events, weekend bus service, and wintertime routes from Davis and Thomas to local ski areas.
More News
The Wall Street Journal Explores Local Data Center Controversy
A reporter and a freelance photographer for the Wall Street Journal were in Tucker County recently gathering information for a story about the proposed power plant and data center between Davis and Thomas.
The journalists toured scenic local sites and talked with numerous people who have taken active roles in opposing the facility. Opponents of the proposed facility said they hope that national attention will increase the pressure to abandon plans for the development in Tucker County.
Nikki Forrester, a spokeswoman for Tucker United, a local group opposed to the proposed facility, said her group welcomes the national spotlight .
“It’s hard to overstate the importance of bringing our local fight to a national stage,” Forrester said in a statement. “We hope this story showcases who we are and how we’re fighting the power plant and data center to protect the people and places we love.”
She added, “Tucker County is one of the first communities in West Virginia to fight a power plant and data center, but it certainly won’t be the last.”
I am NOT an advocate for (or opponent of ) ANYTHING in this entire picture. Remember that fact. Now look at the activity triggered by the sudden flood of news about the power plant and data center topic. About 95% hysteria. All the activists coming out of the woodwork for their latest cause. In every area of the country anytime that a major development of ANY KIND emerges the "antis" will leap on it like vultures on roadkill, only faster. That is truth regardless of your pro or con opinion and regardless of the type of major development. Examples are all over the place. Understanding that truth, how can we blame or criticize any corporation, development entrepreneur or other investment entity for being quiet about it as long as they possibly can !!?? We brought that on ourselves by the way we have acted over the last several decades. AND, like any topic the 'activists' will pour gasoline on every fire and make it far worse than it really is. Don't you long for the good old days when sanity prevailed instead of hysteria?