Rushbus Averts Shutdown, Service to Continue

Newtown rushbus service will continue thanks to $75,000 in state funding, TMA Bucks announced Thursday. The state funding averts a previously scheduled shutdown of the route due to a loss of federal funding subsidies.

The rushbus shuttle provides transportation to the SEPTA West Trenton Line at Woodbourne Station from the Newtown Business Commons, Sykes, Lockheed Martin and Holy Family University. It also services the Lower Makefield Corporate Center, Floral Vale, Oxford Valley Mall, Sheraton Hotel, Aria Health Bucks County, Courtyard Hotel and Residence Inn

PennDOT was able to direct $75,000 in state funds for continued service on these routes until state officials act upon recommendations made by Governor Tom Corbett’s Transportation Funding Advisory Committee, TMA officials said Thursday. 

“PennDOT has always recognized the value of our rushbus shuttle services and the added value to SEPTA, providing necessary last-mile connections to jobs in Bucks County,” said TMA Bucks Executive Director Bill Rickett. “We are grateful to PennDOT for stepping up and contributing the operating funds we need to continue service through the end of this year.”

Rickett noted PennDOT’s action will enable the TMA to attempt to secure private funding, using the $75,000 as matching funds. Additional funding will be needed to carry the services into next year.

TMA Bucks operates four transportation services in Bucks County: Bristol rushbus, Newtown rushbus, Richboro-Warminster rushbus and Street Road rushbus. 

They are fixed-route, public transportation services. Schedules and route maps are available online at www.rushbus.org.