Harold Jenkins

Harold Jenkins, FACT staff consultant, said at a public hearing Friday that the 2000 census indicated 1,600 Fayette County residents commuted to Pittsburgh daily.
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Jenkins said the high cost of fuel and the expansion of bus services make the increase necessary.
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"Our services are not just for the elderly," Jenkins said.

Regarding the proposed 25-cent fare increase, FACT consultant Harold Jenkins said fixed-route service rates haven't been raised since the buses began running in 2000. He said the price of fuel is really eating away at costs.

The 25-percent increase will also affect zone fares, which Jenkins said would go up the same percentage, to the closest nickel.
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Jenkins said 1,600 Fayette County residents commute to Allegheny County each day to work, according to information from the 2000 Census. He said the Pittsburgh trips will start at the FACT Transit Center at the Connellsville Airport and will include two other stops.

Harold Jenkins has been in the transportation business for more than 30 years.

"I had my own busing business originally then moved into public transportation in Johnstown, and have since gone into the consulting business," Jenkins said. " FACT is probably one of the more efficient and fully coordinated transit services in Pennsylvania.

"The shared ride/medically challenged services soon grew into a general transportation service. Now FACT provides transportation for anyone and everyone with no income, age or disability being the qualifier," Jenkins said.
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Jenkins has been a contracted consultant for every county in the state, and has been statewide consultant for West Virginia, Texas and California.

"My pet project over the years, even before it was a requirement, has been to install accommodations for handicapped passengers. Every vehicle in FACT is wheelchair accessible, and we've found out it does not require extra space or time to operate.

"The beauty of FACT is that they have applied for all the right grants and they have spent the money, and spent it well," Jenkins said.
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"The regular bus will stop for anyone anywhere," Jenkins said.

Consultant Harold Jenkins explained that it is a "different type of animal with running public transportation.

Harold Jenkins, FACT staff consultant, said at a public hearing Friday that the 2000 census indicated 1,600 Fayette County residents commuted to Pittsburgh daily.

The hearing was a federal requirement because FACT is adding routes and raising rates for the first time since 2000.All fixed routes will cost an additional 25 cents and shared-ride rates will increase 25 percent.The shared-ride program provides curb-to-curb transportation.Fares vary depending on destination.

Jenkins said the high cost of fuel and the expansion of bus services make the increase necessary.
...
"Our services are not just for the elderly," Jenkins said.

Consultant Harold Jenkins said nothing can be done without the approval of the commissioners.

Consultant Harold Jenkins explained that it is a "different type of animal with running public transportation."He said there must be a street manager, operations manager, maintenance manager and supervisors in offices, which does not necessarily create layers of managers.