Gateway audit amazes FTA
By Barbara Arntsen
Published in News on March 16, 2004 1:58 PM
The Goldsboro-Wayne Transportation Authority received a glowing review from the Federal Transit Administration, board members learned Monday.
"We had the review last week, and it was really outstanding," said City Manager Richard Slozak. "The Feds were amazed at the bus system's turnaround."
The federal government performs these reviews every three years, and Gateway Chairman Ken Gerrard said this latest review differed significantly from the last one.
"There are about 23 areas that they look at when they're reviewing the system, and three years ago we had about 20 areas deficit," Gerrard said.
This time the government found only two minor deficits.
"The system started on what is called a deviated route, where the buses would leave the route to pick up handicapped people," Slozak explained. "But two years ago we changed that system."
Gateway still picks up wheelchair-bound people, but instead of the bus leaving its route, a van is sent to pick them up.
"We just need to have a written policy in place that explains how we handle that," Slozak said.
The other finding was that the system needed to establish a written policy about changing routes. Slozak said the system hasn't changed its routes, but the FTA recommended having a policy in place for any possible changes.
"Other than that, we are in great shape," Slozak said. "They were flabbergasted at the improvements and amazed at our turnaround."