PUBLIC NOTICE
Allegany County Transit   |    Proposed Purple Line Bus Route Change to Demand Response
Meeting Date: April 17, 2025

Notice is hereby given that Allegany County Transit is proposing a change to the Purple Line Bus Route.  The proposed change would turn the Purple Line into a Demand Response, door-to-door, reservation type of service.  This change will benefit all residents of the Georges Creek Region by offering transportation to anyone within ½ mile of Route 36 from Westernport to I-68 at exit 34.  Trips will originate in the Georges Creek region and take customers to the Cumberland area.  Like the Purple Line, it will run on Tuesdays and Fridays beginning at the first reservation time in Georges Creek after 8:30 AM.  Restrictions will apply to the time of day, distance from Route 36, and accessibility to your home.  In some cases, we will require customers to reach an accessible location for pick-up.  

Currently, the Purple Line is a Fixed-Route service that travels Route 36 from Westernport, Barton, Lonaconing, and Midland on Tuesdays and Fridays, with one trip in the morning and one in the afternoon.  We want to replace it with a more customized option using Alltrans vehicles.  Alltrans riders will not see any change in their service.   

Trip times will be pre-scheduled to meet the customers' needs.  Seating availability is limited to the vehicle size; therefore, reservations are required at least one business day before your planned travel.  As a Demand Response route, customers in the Georges Creek region will share their ride with others who want to travel into Cumberland.  Customers must pre-schedule their ride by calling the Transit Office at 301-724-1255.  Same-day calls for a ride may be available, but only when a bus is scheduled to be in your area and we have an available seat.  You can schedule rides to doctor appointments, shopping centers, and your return trip home.  If your return time is unknown when planning your trip, you must call by 3:00 PM to secure your return trip. 

The Transit Office will arrange all trips to serve as many customers as possible.  You may need to travel slightly earlier or later so that we can accommodate as many customers as possible.  Pick-up times from Westernport can be scheduled starting at 8:30 AM.  

Summary:

• Alltrans customers will not see any change.    
• This service is available to anyone within ½ a mile of Route 36.   
• The cost will be $3.00 for each one-way trip.  
• Our vehicle will pick you up at home and take you to any destination in the Cumberland area.  
• We do not cross the West Virginia line. 
• You can plan medical appointments, shopping trips, and more.
• All Transit buses are wheelchair lift-equipped.
• Please schedule all medical appointments after 10:30 AM to allow two (2) hours of travel time.  
• For all trips returning to Westernport, you must plan to depart Cumberland no later than 3:30 PM.  
• Passengers should plan to be flexible in their times, as we will typically be accommodating several passengers at a time.   

We are here to assist you with your transportation needs.  We aim to improve the current Purple Line service with a Demand Response service.  Our Transit staff is prepared to answer all questions to ensure a complete understanding of this modified service.  If you have any questions, please contact the Transit Office at 301-722-6360 or email us at Transit@alleganygov.org.  

You are welcome to attend the public hearing scheduled for April 17 at 5:00 PM at the Allegany County Office Complex, 701 Kelly Road, Cumberland.  Please contact the Transit Office if you need transportation to the meeting.