BUSINESSES & ORGANIZATIONS ›› pivoting
The Potomac Valley Transit Authority installed safety shields on its buses. It pitched in across the community, too, delivering meal packets created for students by local businesses to Keyser Middle School.
appointments for their health and well- being—especially the elderly and disadvantaged population of West Virginia. In the Potomac Highlands region, Potomac Valley Transit Authority (PVTA) is filling that need with READY RIDE! for the residents of Keyser, Moorefield, Petersburg, Piedmont, and Romney. Already popular before the pandemic, this on-demand service transports people from home or work to the store and to appointments for the essential services they need. All it takes is a call to the office in Petersburg, and drivers are dispatched to pick residents up to handle their essential needs. “READY RIDE! has become a lifeline for so many people, even more so with the crisis in our areas,” explained PVTA General Manager Doug Pixler. “We have adjusted our schedules to take seniors to stores early when retailers have created senior-specific hours, and we have taken measures to protect both drivers and passengers by adding safety shields, moving fare boxes, and enacting more stringent disinfection practices.” PVTA employees are not only helping riders, but pitching in in other ways, too. In Mineral County, area businesses helped schools by preparing 800 meal packets with
breakfasts and lunches for students. Recently, PVTA employees worked with Duckies’ Bar and Grill in Piedmont to help package the meals and then delivered them on buses to Keyser Middle School, where volunteers were waiting to deliver meals to students. Other ways we are serving: • transporting a student without transportation to pick up graduation items and to clean out a locker; • transporting a newborn and mom home from the hospital; • offering rides at 6 a.m. in areas where senior shopping is offered; • transporting seniors from areas we usually do not serve to the grocery store or pharmacy; and • participating with our five counties to share information, supplies, and support where and when necessary. During the COVID-19 crisis, PVTA is not charging fares for READY RIDE!, which is operating Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Keyser, Moorefield, Petersburg, and Romney. We are posting regular videos explaining any changes and updates and sharing information with our followers. facebook.com/potomacvalleytransit
Service on Wheels Virus or none, Potomac Valley Transit Authority keeps people moving. potomac valley transit authority serves Grant, Hampshire, Hardy, Mineral, and Pendleton counties in West Virginia. We have been operating under the federal and state COVID-19 guidelines since Governor Justice declared West Virginia under a state of emergency in March. As our country faces one of the worst viral emergencies in decades, our leaders are working to put together plans of action to “flatten the curve” of COVID-19. A big part of those plans requires people to shelter in place, to stay home from work if your job isn’t essential, and to maintain a safe distance from each other. However, people still need groceries, medication refills, and to get to vital 12 wvl • the community issue 2020 SUZANNE PARK W PETERSBURG, GRANT COUNTY
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