Carbon County officials are continuing discussions about public transit access and future improvements, including the possibility of adding evening bus service, improving fixed route stops, and ensuring service to key human services offices.

Commissioner Chairman Mike Sofranko provided a summary of recent discussions with LANTA (Lehigh and Northampton Transportation Authority) and Carbon Transit representatives, including a ride-along evaluation conducted earlier this month.

One of the most immediate concerns discussed is the closure of local Rite Aid pharmacies, specifically the one on First Street in Lehighton. County officials, Sofranko said, want to ensure residents have continued access to pharmacy services.

“We are aware of pharmacies being closed,” Sofranko said during Thursday’s commissioners meeting. “We wanted to make sure that there is a convenient bus stop for the independent pharmacy on First Street, and that bus stop is properly located.”

In addition to the pharmacy access issue, Sofranko highlighted several county service locations that need to remain accessible by bus. These include the Carbon County Courthouse and nearby offices, such as Domestic Relations, Veterans Affairs, the Public Defender’s Office, Election Bureau, and Adult Probation.

“There is an existing bus stop on Susquehanna and Race Street in Jim Thorpe,” Sofranko said. “That is for the convenience of those who need business at the courthouse. We wanted to make sure those bus stops were all being properly served.”

County leaders are also looking to improve access to the Carbon-Monroe-Pike Drug and Alcohol office and the Children and Youth Services office in Lehighton. Sofranko said if these agencies provide the necessary information and photos to LANTA, new stops could be added.

“We have it worked out that if they provide the proper information and pictures as to where they would like those bus stops, they will be installed there,” he said. “I’d like to thank Children and Youth. I think they’ve already reached out and begun giving us that, as has the Carbon Monroe Pike Drug and Alcohol (office).”

Evening bus service remains a key topic of interest, particularly for residents who work late shifts or need transportation after traditional hours. However, Sofranko cautioned that such service expansions hinge on securing funding.

“The county needs to look if there’s any available funding to provide that,” Sofranko said. “We could also be looking to the state for additional funding for transit. Obviously nothing will be done there until we find the funding.”

One option under discussion is the reallocation of resources from long, low-demand routes — including one that takes riders to the Lehigh Valley Mall, requiring around a three-hour round trip with only 45 minutes on location. Eliminating or modifying that route could free up funds for other services.

“We had a long conversation about how we can better utilize the funding that’s going to that area,” Sofranko said. “It’s a strong possibility.”

The overall goal, he added, is to ensure accessibility for all essential locations.

“There are a lot of people who ride the bus to go to the grocery store, to go to doctor’s appointments, and we have to make sure that those services are also being rendered,” Sofranko said.

The fixed route transit service schedule is available at carbontransit.com/ct-bus. The fare is $1.50 cash (driver does not give change) or $2 on the app (https://transitapp.com).