In response to a question from a NewsLanc reporter regarding the board’s position on the issue of trolley cars for downtown Lancaster, Executive Director David Kilmer said, “That effort is not being led by this authority” and “I think it’s too early to make any judgment about that and I don’t think we should be narrow-minded about things.”

Refusing to indicate any position on the issue, both David Kilmer and Board Treasurer Jon Farrell repeatedly stressed that further study is needed to determine the needs and concerns of the Authority’s client base.

According to figures made available at their Monday Board meeting, ridership of combined Red Rose Transit Services increased by 4.4% between October 2006 and October 2007.

213,838 passengers rode RRTA last month compared to 204,912 in October 2006. Over 2.2 million rides were taken on Red Rose Transit vehicles in Fiscal Year 2007.

At their Monday board meeting, the members approved a resolution to award a construction contract to Ebersole Brothers Construction of Mount Joy in the amount of $118,866.50 for improvements to the transit stop located at Locust & Market Streets in Columbia, part of which will be funded by a grant from PENNDOT.

The members also approved a resolution Monday authorizing the purchase of eight Wheelchair-Accessible Small Transit Buses from Shepard Brothers, Inc. for a total cost of $482,488. Eight buses were retired from RRTA’s fleet due to the fact that they have now accrued over 200,000 miles.

It was also announced at Monday’s board meeting that RRTA Executive Director David Kilmer has been appointed to a 3-year term on the recently-formed Motor Carrier Safety Advisory Committee, which will advise Pennsylvania lawmakers on safety and efficiency issues with regard to motor carriers.