LANTA reverses Saturday cuts to Nazareth, Slate Belt as funding shortfall looms

BETHLEHEM, Pa. — The Lehigh and Northampton Transportation Authority (LANTA) will retain Saturday bus service to Nazareth and the Slate Belt after proposed cuts drew concerns from residents and local officials who warned the reductions would disproportionately affect seniors, workers and rural communities.

LANTA announced finalized service changes this month after hearing concerns from riders and local officials about proposals released in April that would have eliminated all scheduled Saturday bus service to the areas, including service to Gracedale, Northampton County’s nursing home.

Northampton County Commissioner Jason Boulette said the proposed cuts would have further isolated elderly residents at Gracedale by limiting access for visiting family members and loved ones.

The proposed changes sparked backlash from riders and elected officials who said the cuts would leave many residents without reliable transportation for work, essential errands and medical appointments.

Boulette, who spoke during LANTA’s April 29 public meeting on the proposal, said constituents expressed concern about losing one of their only transportation options.

“I heard from constituents that were concerned about the cuts because it meant not being able to get to their jobs or run needed errands,” Boulette said. “If you work on Saturdays and you take the bus, if that line is eliminated entirely, what do you do?”

LANTA’s finalized changes retained Saturday service to Nazareth and the Slate Belt, though some trips on both lines were cut.

“As part of the proposed service changes, LANTA explored replacing fixed-route bus service with Flex service to continue providing access more cost-efficiently,” said Darryl Lightner, Manager of Communications & Strategic Initiatives at LANTA. “However, public feedback indicated that riders strongly preferred to maintain the fixed route option.”

LANTA retained most fixed-route and Flex service in the affected areas in response to community feedback. The agency said they are balancing the budget through adjustments elsewhere in the system.

Average Saturday ridership on the impacted routes is about 20 on the Nazareth route and 16 on the Slate Belt route, according to LANTA.

“While there may be lower ridership, the people riding in these communities really have no other options but LANTA,” Boulette said.

Lightner said LANTA continues to implement service adjustments across its system as the agency faces rising operating costs and funding levels that have not kept pace with expenses.

“Without additional state transit funding, transit agencies across Pennsylvania, including LANTA, could face additional service reductions and decreased service frequency in the future,” Lightner said.

The debate over the Saturday routes reflects broader financial concerns facing transit agencies across the Lehigh Valley, where continued population growth and sprawling development patterns have increased pressure on both roads and public transit systems.

Scott Slingerland, executive director of the Coalition for Appropriate Transportation, said the Lehigh Valley’s widespread residential and job growth requires additional state and federal investment to maintain service for the community.

“Public transit funding is evermore important as we see with ever-increasing traffic on Lehigh Valley roads,” Slingerland said. “PA State Senators need to see how important public transit funding is for all of the Lehigh Valley.”

During LANTA’s April 29 public meeting, Executive Director Owen O’Neil said LANTA, unlike many transit systems, used federal pandemic aid to expand transit access in underserved communities. However, those funds are no longer available while inflation and wage increases continue to drive up costs.

Transit officials and advocates are now pushing for additional state support to avoid future service reductions.

Last year, Gov. Josh Shapiro proposed directing a larger share of existing sales tax revenue toward public transit agencies without increasing the overall sales tax rate. The proposal passed the Pennsylvania House but stalled in the state Senate.

Boulette said Northampton County Council will consider another resolution Thursday that calls on all state lawmakers to support expanded transit funding.

In his press release, Boulette commended LANTA’s leaders for preserving Saturday service to Nazareth and the Slate Belt; he warned that additional cuts could still occur if the agency’s funding shortfall is not corrected.

“These lines will continue to be in jeopardy until LANTA gets additional funding,” Boulette said. “We can’t force our state representatives and state senators to act. All we can do is use our voice as a body to ask them to do what they can to serve our community.”