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Commissioners Support Local Transit Services

Garrett County Government Board of County Commissioners
Communications Office

In a time when many rural communities are grappling with challenges in funding essential services, Garrett County Government is taking action to support its residents. Despite not being directly responsible for managing or funding the local public transportation network, the Board of County Commissioners recognize the importance of Garrett Transit Service (GTS) and are stepping in to ensure its continuity—at least for the short term.

GTS provides a lifeline for many in our community, connecting residents to work, medical appointments, and essential services. For seniors, individuals with disabilities, and low-income families, public transportation is not just a convenience—it’s a necessity.

However, maintaining rural transit systems like GTS is no easy task. Funding challenges, federal regulations, and staffing shortages have made it increasingly difficult to meet the needs of a geographically dispersed population.

When the Garrett County Community Action Committee (GCCAC), the administrator of the GTS program, announced a budget shortfall and proposed limiting services to in-county trips only, the Garrett County Commissioners pledged support to sustain these services.

“While public transportation isn’t something the county directly funds, as soon as we knew the need, we were able to step up with this one-time allocation,” said Garrett County Commissioner Paul Edwards. “This allocation gives Community Action and GTS the time and resources they need to evaluate operations and plan for a sustainable future.”

GCCAC has a projected transportation program deficit of $489,709 for its 2025 fiscal year, which ends on September 30, 2025. To address this shortfall, the Commissioners will allocate $367,000 to maintain the transportation services.

Note, the difference between the GTS program shortfall and the funded amount is based on dutiful coverage through the county’s fiscal year, ending June 30, 2025.

Any additional county funding allocations beyond June 30, 2025 must be evaluated during the upcoming fiscal 2026 county budget process.

Before the pandemic, medical transportation services generated significant revenue for GTS but have endured a sharp decline in recent years. During COVID-19, federal relief programs provided crucial budget supplements to GCCAC, offering support until 2024. Simultaneously, GTS increased wages by approximately 30% over the past three years to meet minimum wage requirements and stay competitive in the labor market.

The convergence of flat state funding, the expiration of pandemic-related relief, and rising operational costs created financial strain for GCCAC and, by extension, GTS, culminating in the budget challenges and pivotal decisions the organization now faces.

“We were fortunate to have pandemic recovery dollars to supplement GTS the past few years, but that funding ended in October. We are incredibly grateful for the county’s quick response to this need,” said Chris Mullett, Garrett County Community Action Committee President and CEO. “This funding allows us to maintain essential services for our community, including limited out-of-county transportation, while we work on long-term solutions.”

The commissioners’ support gives GCCAC time to stabilize and evaluate its operations. New leadership at GCCAC also has been brought on board to assess the system and recommend improvements. These efforts aim to ensure that the GTS program can operate efficiently while meeting the needs of the community well into the future.

Also, the county’s decision to allocate emergency funds highlights an important truth: transportation is a foundation of community well-being and, for the residents who rely on GTS, this funding means continuity and peace of mind.

Volunteers needed to help transport veterans

OAKLAND — A call for volunteer drivers has been made by local U.S. Navy veteran Dwight Mangan, who has managed a group of volunteers to drive area military veterans to Veterans Affairs (VA) medical facilities for the past seven years.

“We are down to five drivers, and we’re going to lose two by the end of the year,” Mangan said. “We really need some more people to help us out.”

The vans used in the process are provided by the VA, and the gasoline is paid for, Mangan said. The drivers may volunteer to drive every week, or as little as once or twice a month.

Drivers go to the homes of local veterans and pick them up. They then transport the vets to either Cumberland for another pickup, or on to Martinsburg, W.Va., to the VA medical facility there. Usually the trips are to Cumberland, he said.

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Garrett school transportation on board agenda

From Staff Reports

Cumberland Times-News

— OAKLAND — The Garrett County School Enrollment Committee will make a recommendation on the transportation study contracted by the board of education with School Bus Consultants at the June 10 school board meeting at 6:05 p.m. at the Central Office.

The 2013-14 Facility Study made a recommendation to consider moving students from the southern end of the county north.

The transportation study was completed following the facility study and Superintendent Janet Wilson appointed a committee to analyze the data and make recommendations to assist the school system in operating more efficiently.

After the board meeting, the committee’s presentation, along with the School Bus Consultants’ report, will be posted at www.garrettcountyschools.org. The board will accept public comments on the School Enrollment Committee report until noon on June 16. Comments can be submitted to areaenrollmentproposal@garrettcountyschools.org or by mail to Area Enrollment Proposal Committee, Garrett County Public Schools, Attention: Jane Wildesen, 40 S. Second St., Oakland, MD 21550.

The board will meet again June 16 at 5 p.m.

More here.