Eastern Panhandle Transit Authority

Eastern Panhandle Transit Authority
FormerlyPanTran
Founded1976[1][2][3]
Headquarters446 Novak Dr, Martinsburg, WV 25405
Service areaMartinsburg, Berkeley County, Jefferson County
Service typebus service, paratransit, non-emergency medical transit
Routes14
HubsMartinsburg station
Fleet23 vehicles[1]
Annual ridership
193,113 (2016)[4][1]
Websiteeptawv.com

The Eastern Panhandle Transit Authority (EPTA), formerly known as PanTran, is a public bus operator for Berkeley County, and Jefferson County, West Virginia. The agency operates fixed and demand-response transit as well as bus shuttles for the Shepherd University and MARC.

Fares

Since 2017, the Eastern Panhandle Transit Authority operates on a zone-based fare system. Travel in Martinsburg costs $2.00, travel between Martinsburg and Inwood costs $2.50, travel between Martinsburg and Charles Town costs $3.00 and travel between Martinsburg and Harpers Ferry costs $3.50. Fare cards, day passes, and monthly passes are offered.[4][5]

By 2000, fares costed between $1.00 and $2.50.[6] This was raised to between $1.25 and $2.50 by 2002.[7]

Routes

Fixed routes

The Eastern Panhandle Transit Authority operates the following routes:[8][9][10]

  • Route 10
  • Route 11
  • Route 12
  • Route 14
  • Route 16 (Jefferson County)
  • Route 18 (Inwood)
  • Route 20 (Jefferson County)
  • Route 25 (Evening)
  • Route 30 (Evening)
  • Route 35 (Saturday)
  • Route 40 (Saturday)
  • Ram Express (Shepherd University)
  • Ram Force One (Shepherd University)
  • MARC-H
  • MARC-M

Background

Final report for TRIP

In 1974,[a] the state of West Virginia began a five-year statewide public transit project, the Transportation, Remuneration, Incentive, Program (TRIP); targeted rural and suburban areas to meet unserved transportation needs from low-income individuals, the elderly, and handicapped persons, to deal with inflation, and to deal with struggling bus systems. Funding was acquired by the state itself, the Community Services Administration, the Urban Mass Transit Administration, the Federal Highway Administration, the Administration on Aging, and the Department of Health Education and Welfare. The project focused on fixed route bus service and ended on June 30, 1979 with a %100 increase in ridership and a %144 increase in revenue.[11][12][13]: 59–61 12,000 subsidy tickets were sold to disabled, elderly, and low-income riders.[12] Most riders used the transit systems for work or shopping-related purposes. A problem arose due to a lack of a database. 22 out of the 55 counties in West Virginia and 5 out of 11 planning regions participated in TRIP.[13]: 59–61  Taxi companies also benefited from the program.[12]

Between 1979 and 1980, the former TRIP program guaranteed transit agencies $1,200,000 in funding with state and federal funding that was matched with local funding. The funds fell onto the responsibility of local politicians.[13]: 60 

Later, public transit authorities were created under Section 147 to better serve the general public.[13]: 61 

History

The Eastern Panhandle Transit Authority was founded in 1976 as a rural area transit system.[1][2][3]: 1 

Between 1979 and 1980, EPTA was funded under section 147 of the Federal Highway Administration, the Governor's Counter-Cyclical Fund, local funds, and state funds.[13]: 62 

On March 18, 1980, EPTA went to Martinsburg's City hall for a public meeting on a grant to fund the system.[14]

By 1994, the Eastern Panhandle Transit Authority was funded by the Federal Transit Administration's section 18 program.[15]

In 2002, a bus facility was built at 446 Novak Drive in Martinsburg[16]: 2  near the Tabler Station Business Park.[17] The agency also drafted up a proposal to improve EPTA transit service along Route 9 to relive traffic congestion.[7]: 1–26  At this time, the Martinsburg Mall was a hub for the agency.[6][7]: 3–26 

In May 2004, the agency realigned bus routes and served new housing complexes.[18]

By November 7, 2005, EPTA redid their website, discontinued their Wave-Down services, and added new bus routes with input from the community.[19]

EPTA received a grant in 2007 to build three bus shelters.[20] In December, the agency started charter bus service for private companies in a fifty-mile radius from its headquarters.[21]

In 2012, EPTA was designated as a small urban area transit system.[2]

On November 15, 2013, a pilot project started after an agreement between the agency and Macy's to provide transportation between Hagerstown and Macy's complex in Martinsburg. EPTA wanted to provide full-time service to the complex and expand the pilot into Winchester. The pilot ended on December 15. Around the same time, a government shutdown financially affected the agency's route to Harpers Ferry.[22]

Bus service to Shepherd University started in 2014.[23] The service started with two round trips to Caperton Train station and all day service around Shepherd University. The service was free to collage students with a valid ID.[24]

In 2015, the public transit agency realigned its bus routes to due the agency's growth;[4][25][2] which increased ridership for the system.[2] Public hearing meetings were held for the changes.[25]

In 2016, EPTA offered free rides for its 40th anniversary[1] and studied to build a transit center to replace the current transit hub at Martinsburg station and the current facility at 446 Novak Drive as the latter was far out from where the agency served and was designed to hold 12 busses but was holding 23-24[b] at the time.[26][17][3]: 6  The plan costed approximately $75,000, was funded by the agency and the West Virginia Division of Public Transit,[26] and was further developed in 2017[16]: 3  and 2020.[27]

In 2017, a 47 year old male, previously registered as a sex offender, was charged with indecent exposure on an EPTA bus. As a result, the agency's board implemented a rider policy.[28] On July 20, 2017, a bus shelter was completed outside Shepherd University's Martinsburg complex; launching a shelter program by the agency. Shepherd University's Martinsburg Center and the real estate company, Aikens Group, helped to build the shelter; which was built first due to high ridership. Proposals were also made for route changes, expanded Inwood service, and three new bus shelters; including at Joshua Gardens and Martinsburg's Department of Health and Human Resources.[20]

In 2018, EPTA received $4.5 million after applying for a $14 million dollar grant to fund their transit center[29] which went into effect in 2020.[30] In April 2018, the agency redesigned bus routes and released new routes with more transfer points across the system and new service to Inwood. A period of free service was given to riders alongside the changes; which frustrated a rider over a lack of information. The agency released a bus locator app and switched from color-coded to number-based names.[31][32][33] The shuttle around Shepherd University was renamed to the Shepherd University Circulator (SC) and MARC shuttle service was split into two lines; the MARC-H for Harpers Ferry station and Duffields station, and the MARC-M for Martinsburg station.[32][34] The agency also took over a heritage trolley service in downtown Martinsburg from the Berkeley County Roundhouse Authority.[32]

In 2019, EPTA announced six new vehicles and busses to serve increasing ridership and to replace vehicles operating since 2011.[30]

The transit agency was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic from a loss in ridership and sick drivers.[35][36]: 1 

In June 2020, EPTA released a transit development draft which proposed extending hours on its transit system, extending and reconfiguring routes, and discontinuing evening and Saturday service for regular bus service at those times. The plan's biggest priorities were to reconfigure routes around a planned transit center. The changes were open for public outreach and comments until June 17.[37]

By 2021, the shuttle to the Shepherd University was split into two routes, the Ram Force One and the Ram Express.[38]

The transit authority planned its transit center at Raleigh Street and Race Street and by 2022, it was %30 completed.[39] The complex is planned to be 24,200 square feet with six bus bays, public seating, real-time transit information, bicycle parking, a park-and-ride, a connection to the Raleigh Street bike trail, and a maintenance facility for the busses; including eight charging stations and a fueling station. The project broke ground on June 19, 2024.[40][41][42][36]: 9  In 2023, it was proposed to create a commuter bus line to the Ashburn Metrorail station by December 2023.[43][44][35][45]: 1  The line planned to travel between Martinsburg and the Metro station with one intermediate stop at Ranson's Potomac Marketplace; which planned to have a park-and-ride.[35][45]: 2, 4  According to EPTA in 2025, the proposal was "too costly."[36]: 54 

In the summer of 2023, a bus shelter was installed in the Shepherd University in front of the Stutzman-Slonaker Hall alongside student-led funding for a shelter on H-Lot on the west site of the school.[23] In the fall of 2023, the shuttle bus for MARC train 875 was temporarily discontinued due to the closure of U.S. Route 340[46][47][48] while the shuttle for MARC train 883 operated on a detour. Both shuttles were restored on December 4, 2023 after the road finished completion.[49]

In the EPTA draft plan from 2025, the agency recommended new routes and realignments of existing routes. The proposal planned to serve Spring Mills, Hedgesville, and the VA Medical Center, as well as add more Saturday routes.[36]: 1, 64–83 

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 "Eastern Panhandle Transit Authority offers free rides to mark 40th anniversary". Herald-Mail Media. November 21, 2016. Retrieved July 2, 2026.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 "Title VI Plan EPTA 6280 – FFY2018-2021" (PDF). Eastern Panhandle Transit Authority. July 31, 2021. p. 7. Retrieved June 29, 2026.
  3. 1 2 3 "EPTA Bus Transfer Point Study" (PDF). Eastern Panhandle Transit Authority. September 2016. Retrieved July 2, 2026.
  4. 1 2 3 Frank, Mike (May 27, 2017). "EPTA serving region for over 40 years". The Journal. Retrieved June 28, 2026.
  5. ↑ "Calculating your Bus Fare". Eastern Panhandle Transit Authority. Retrieved June 30, 2026.
  6. 1 2 West Virginia Route 9, Charles Town to Virginia Line, Jefferson County. Environmental Impact Statement. 2000. p. 2-2.
  7. 1 2 3 West Virginia Route 9 (WV9), Martinsburg to Charles Town, Jefferson and Berkeley Counties: Environmental Impact Statement. Environmental Impact Statement. 2002.
  8. ↑ "Routes". Eastern Panhandle Transit Authority. Retrieved June 30, 2026.
  9. ↑ "Ram Force One and Ram Express Route Schedule" (PDF). irp.cdn-website.com. 2025. Retrieved June 30, 2026.
  10. ↑ "Brunswick Line" (PDF). Maryland Department of Transportation. August 1, 2023. Retrieved June 30, 2026.
  11. ↑ "Transportation Remuneration Incentive Program" (PDF). dhhr.wv.gov. p. 269. Retrieved June 30, 2026.
  12. 1 2 3 Urban Mass Transportation Abstracts. Urban Mass Transportation Administration. (published 1972). 1979. pp. 6, 19.
  13. 1 2 3 4 5 Transportation for the Elderly and Handicapped. U.S. Department of Transportation. 1980. Retrieved June 28, 2026.
  14. ↑ Notice of Public Hearing. The Morgan Messenger. March 5, 1980. p. 2.
  15. ↑ America, Community Transportation Association of (1994). Directory of Rural Public Transportation Providers Funded by FTA's Section 18 Program. Community Transportation Association of America. pp. 165–166.
  16. 1 2 "Facility Expansion" (PDF). Eastern Panhandle Transit Authority. October 2017. Retrieved July 2, 2026.
  17. 1 2 3 Munson, Nick (March 24, 2017). "Eastern Panhandle Transportation Authority aiming to move to new facility". DC News Now. Retrieved July 8, 2026.
  18. ↑ "The Eastern Panhandle Transit Authority - PanTran". pantran.com. Archived from the original on June 3, 2004. Retrieved June 28, 2026.
  19. ↑ "Welcome to PanTran". pantran.com. Archived from the original on November 8, 2005. Retrieved June 29, 2026.
  20. 1 2 Daniels, Emily (July 20, 2017). "EPTA adds first bus shelter in county". The Journal. Retrieved June 28, 2026.
  21. ↑ Willing And Able Determination. Spirit of Jefferson. December 20, 2007. p. 18.
  22. ↑ Oniadmin (November 20, 2013). "PanTran to provide seasonal transport for Macy's employees". The Journal. Retrieved July 10, 2026.
  23. 1 2 "2023 Impact Report" (PDF). Shepherd University. 2023. p. 9. Retrieved July 9, 2026.
  24. ↑ Oniadmin (January 4, 2014). "E.P.T.A. News and Information". The Journal. Retrieved July 10, 2026.
  25. 1 2 "EPTA". Eastern Panhandle Transit Authority. Archived from the original on September 27, 2015. Retrieved June 29, 2026.
  26. 1 2 3 Daniels, Emily (November 18, 2017). "EPTA facilities study confirms HQ need". The Journal. Retrieved July 7, 2026.
  27. ↑ "Transit Development Plan" (PDF). Eastern Panhandle Transit Authority. 2020. p. 1. Retrieved July 2, 2026.
  28. ↑ Daniels, Emily (December 18, 2017). "EPTA board adopts rider policy". The Journal. Retrieved July 10, 2026.
  29. ↑ Fogle, Hans (April 3, 2018). "EPTA to receive $4.5 million in grant funding". WV MetroNews. Retrieved July 10, 2026.
  30. 1 2 Duprey, Stephanie (September 26, 2019). "The new vehicles will replace buses that have been operating since 2011". DC News Now. Retrieved July 11, 2026.
  31. ↑ "Eastern Panhandle Transit Authority launches new schedules and app". DC News Now. April 17, 2018. Retrieved June 28, 2026.
  32. 1 2 3 Umstead, Matthew (April 14, 2018). "Eastern Panhandle transit set to launch new route schedules, expanded service, bus locator app". Herald-Mail Media. Retrieved June 29, 2026.
  33. ↑ "EPTA". www.eptawv.com. Archived from the original on March 30, 2018. Retrieved June 28, 2026.
  34. ↑ "Fares and Passes". www.eptawv.com. Archived from the original on July 1, 2026. Retrieved July 9, 2026.
  35. 1 2 3 Lewis, Mike. "Leave the driving to others: Transit options could grow in county, Eastern Panhandle". Herald-Mail Media. Retrieved July 2, 2026.
  36. 1 2 3 4 "EPTA 2025 Transit Development Plan" (PDF). Eastern Panhandle Transit Authority. June 2025. Retrieved July 2, 2026.
  37. ↑ Umstead, Matthew (June 6, 2020). "Virtual Q&A session set for EPTA development plan". Herald-Mail Media. Retrieved June 30, 2026.
  38. ↑ "Ram Force One and Ram Express Route Schedule" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on April 20, 2021. Retrieved June 9, 2026.
  39. ↑ Keefer, Emily (September 23, 2022). "EPTA reaches 30% on plan for transit center in downtown Martinsburg". The Journal. Retrieved June 30, 2026.
  40. ↑ "Eastern Panhandle looks to future with new transportation facility". WV MetroNews. June 26, 2024. Retrieved February 13, 2026.
  41. ↑ Milbourne, Toni (December 30, 2024). "No. 8 Multimodal Transit Center coming to fruition after nearly a decade of planning". The Journal. Retrieved March 22, 2026.
  42. ↑ "West Virginia's eastern panhandle expanding service for public transit riders". DC News Now. May 30, 2024. Retrieved July 1, 2026.
  43. ↑ "Eastern Panhandle Transit Authority to expand service to Northern Virginia". DC News Now | Washington, DC. May 24, 2022. Archived from the original on November 21, 2022. Retrieved July 2, 2026.
  44. ↑ Gignallait, David (November 30, 2022). "TRANSIT: Panhandle shuttle buses to Ashburn Station planned for 2023". Spirit of Jefferson. Retrieved July 2, 2026.
  45. 1 2 "Commuter Bus Implementation Plan" (PDF). Eastern Panhandle Transit Authority. June 2022. Retrieved July 2, 2026.
  46. ↑ "Environmental Assessment" (PDF). transportation.wv.gov. October 7, 2021. p. 38. Retrieved June 28, 2026.
  47. ↑ "Reminder : MARC Train - R schedule on Columbus Day". Maryland Department of Transportation. October 9, 2023. Retrieved June 1, 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  48. ↑ "MARC Brunswick Line - Reminder of service modifications today". Maryland Department of Transportation. November 11, 2023. Retrieved June 1, 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  49. ↑ "MARC Train - Update for passengers traveling to and from West Virginia stations". Maryland Department of Transportation. November 29, 2023. Retrieved July 9, 2026.

Notes

  1. ↑ Most sources say that the project started in June 1974, one lists the project starting in 1973
  2. ↑ DC News Now stated 23 busses,[17] The Journal stated 24[26]
This page is issued from Wikipedia. The text is available under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 unless otherwise noted. Additional terms may apply for the media files.