Moving LANTA Forward: Final Report Issued

The final report for the Moving LANTA Forward Regional Transportation Development plan has been published. The recommendations contained in the report were adopted by resolution by LANTA's Board of Directors at their January meeting.

Essentially, the plan commits the Board to growing the public transportation system while, at the same time, predicating that growth upon available funding and the commitment by the community to implement transit friendly design elements.

In addition to service expansion, the plan calls for more visability for the transit system, enhanced passenger amenities such as shelters and benches and a more user-friendly system of public information.

Click on the cover of the report above to obtain a complete copy in pdf format.

Ridership Continiues to Grow

What goes up, must come down

Well not always.

Especially when it comes to gas prices at the pump and ridership on LANTA’s Metro bus system.

How many people ride LANTA Metro buses? More than you realize! Metro attracts people from all walks of life and takes them where they need to go: employment, medical appointments, shopping, church, schools and educational facilities, libraries, parks, family and friend gatherings, just to name a few.

Ridership levels on Lehigh and Northampton Transportation Authority’s buses appear to follow the course mapped by fuel prices. Bus travel was at its highest during the first half of Fiscal Year 2008-2009 (July 1, 2008 – December 31, 2008). Statistics show that more than 3,175,000 trips were taken on Metro during this time frame.

To what do we credit this factor? Think back: the start of FY 2008-2009 saw a spike in fuel prices. When prices at the pump topped $4 a gallon, some people were motivated to leave their costly vehicles at home and take the bus. As prices slowly began to fall some bus riders returned to driving their personal vehicles, but a great many of them remain steady Metro customers.

LANTA’s ridership for the first half of the current Fiscal Year 2009-2010 (July 1, 2009 – December 31, 2009) comes in a tad lower than the previous fiscal year, at 3,140,304 passenger trips.

This is only 1.1 percent less than the previous period. LANTA has retained an impressive 90% of the rider growth gained during the gas price surge! Obviously, those who gave the bus a try, liked the experience and are still enjoying the savings even as gas prices have dropped to around $2.60 a gallon - about a 35% drop from the $4 high last year!

Through the new Moving LANTA Forward transit development plan for restructured and expanded service, Metro will become accessible to more people.

It looks as if the sky's the limit for gaining new riders and once people climb aboard, they tend to become loyal Metro riders.

Easton Intermodal Presentation & Comment Form

To view the presentation for the public meeting scheduled for Thursday, February 18, please click here.

This is a power point presentation designed to introduce the project, review its purpose and scope and outline the funding requirements.

If you wish to submit comments to be considered as part of the planning process, please find a comment form here

Comments, suggestions, input are welcome in any format and can be emailed to: agreco@lantabus-pa.gov

Public Meeting: Easton Intermodal Transit Center

Meeting Announcement: Proposed Easton Intermodal Transit Center Project

This project involves the construction of an intermodal transit center along with a 2 - 3 story level parking garage and a 3 story commercial building at 123 and 181 South Third Street (former Perkins Restaurant and Marquis Theatre properties) in the City of Easton, Northampton County, Pennsylvania.

The meeting will be held Thursday, February 18, 2010, Easton Council Chambers, 1 South Third Street, Easton

The purpose of the meeting is to introduce the project and to provide interested individuals an opportunity early in the project design and planning phase to submit comments and suggestions. In accord with the National Environmental Policy Act, an Environmental Assessment (EA) document will be prepared in advance of the project approval. It is anticipated that the EA will be available for public review and comment in May.

The meeting location is accessible to persons with disabilities. Anyone requiring special accommodations for this meeting, or for additional information, please contact:

Armando V. Greco, Executive Director

Lehigh and Northampton Transportation Authority

1060 Lehigh Street

Allentown, PA 18103

agreco@lantabus-pa.gov

Job Fair at LANTA - Bus Operators

LANTA is hosting a job fair for prospective bus operators. If you have had experience driving a bus or heavy equipment and are seeking a rewarding, challenging career, then perhaps you should apply. A clean driving record, high school degree or equivalent is required. Applications must also be at least 21 years of age.

The Job Fair is Saturday and Sunday, January 9-10, 2010.

Time: 9 a.m. to Noon

Location: LANTA Offices at 1060 Lehigh Street, Allentown, PA

Employment applications are available online to print out and review:

Click here

Land Use Toolkit

The final draft of the Lehigh Valley Land Use Toolkit is now available. This is the educational tool that the Authority will be presenting to area planning professionals in order to communicate the importance of transit-friendly design. For the past 60 years, land use has focused on planning based on the use of the single-occupancy automobile. If the Valley doesn't plan for the use of public transit, the likelihood that transit will thrive - indeed that it will survive - is doubtful.

Click here to take a look.

Carbon footprints and transit

The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) has developed a wealth of information to encourage greater use of public transportation. One of the 'tools' at thier website is a calculator to determine how much of a contribution to reducing one's 'carbon footprint' riding transit would make. Click here or on the green foot to try it, it's fun!