The effects of the partial government shutdown are starting to be felt in communities all across the nation and Lima Allen County is no different.
Wednesday, officials with the Allen County Regional Transit Authority announcing they are facing serious budget issues that could stop their buses from running. They are funded completely with federal grant dollars that they are not receiving during the shutdown. This will be the last week the RTA's 26 bus drivers will receive a paycheck. To keep services running, they have all agreed to continue working on suspended pay with delayed paychecks. RTA officials say they will continue as long as they can provide services to their riders.
"Our commitment is to our riders and to our community and our county so we will do whatever it takes to provide services to those who need it the most," said Eliot Rankin, ACRTA media and marketing coordinator.
Rankin says at some point the fuel is going to run out and they will be at a standstill. In an effort to not to reach that point, they're looking into ways to get local gap funding to keep the buses on the road. They have approached the city and county for help.
"Well I've authorized legislation for council to consider on the 28th that would actually authorize full payment of the annual amount to RTA now so that they would be able to pay for fuel, pay for the kinds of cash needs that the agency had during this shutdown," said Lima Mayor David Berger.
That amount would be $100,000 that's usually paid quarterly. RTA officials are meeting with Allen County commissioners on Thursday to see if there is a way they can help them during this extreme financial burden.
