Stop Hopper program needs local funding sources to continue

Nov. 12—LEWISBURG — A micro-transit service provided by rabbittransit needs nearly $55,000 in local funding in order to continue in-demand transportation in Columbia, Montour, Northumberland, Snyder and Union counties.

At Tuesday's public work session in Union County, rabbittransit Executive Director Richard Farr; Steve Herman, director of transportation at SEDA-Council of Government; Bob Garrett, president/CEO of the Greater Susquehanna Chamber of Commerce; and Susie Weller, executive director of the Union-Snyder Community Action Agency, asked the commissioners to consider budgeting funds toward the Stop Hopper program. Montour, Northumberland and Columbia counties have already committed to financially supporting the program.

"I don't want to be the doom and gloom guy, but if we don't meet the local match requirement, we have to shut the program down," Farr said about funding requirements that come with federal funding. "We don't have a choice. It's not a threat. I want to make sure that communities know what I'm talking about and what it looks like."

This program provides free transportation for seniors with a registered free fare ID card, and $2 per one-way trip for everyone else. Children under 44 inches ride for free with a fare-paying adult.

Union County's contribution would be $8,557 in 2026 and Snyder County's would be $7,962. Northumberland County at $14,347, Columbia County at $18,469 and Montour County at $5,492 have already committed to funding, either through county dollars or local foundation matches, according to Farr.

The Stop Hopper pilot program was announced in early 2022. The first three years of Stop Hopper are funded by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation as well as a $50,000 one-time grant from the Degenstein Foundations, Farr said.

Local match funding across Northumberland, Snyder, Union, Montour and Columbia counties will be necessary for the program to access state and federal funds. The local matching funds will enable the authority to have access to more than $76,900 in state funds, Farr said.

If the counties do not commit, then the Chamber will seek alternative funding through other local solutions, Farr said.

Commissioner Stacy Richards said transportation is a priority in the Valley.

"Across the board, this is one of the most important things we could be addressing," Richards said. "This is a big one."