Carbon County is making sure that transportation is available to people who need a ride.

During the county commissioners' meeting on Thursday, the board voted on four items that will guarantee that the Carbon County Community Transit services would be in place for 2014.The actions included adopting a local match certification resolution for fiscal year 2014-2015, section 1513 in the amount of $33,870; adopt the 2015 local match operating resolution certifying operating assistance of $233,917 and listing matching funds of no less than $33,870, which represents a 5 percent increase in state funding over the past allotment; approve the acceptance of special sections 5333(b) warranty for application to the Small Urban and Rural Program Labor Provisions Assurance form; and approve the inclusion of four certifications in the current management agreement between Carbon and the Lehigh and Northampton Transportation Authority, as required by the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare.Commissioner Chairman Wayne Nothstein said the actions by the board will allow the county to continue maintaining its two ride programs the shared ride and Lynx bus services, which are operated and managed by LANTA."LANTA is doing a great job providing the routes they can," Nothstein said, adding that the county has received a few complaints about the lack of some routes. "Without the ridership though, it makes it hard to keep up the services."Nothstein said that Carbon County is spread out, so services are spread out.Melissa Gemelli, assistant executive director for LANTA, said the shared ride program is doing well, but the Lynx service numbers are down.She said LANTA is currently looking at ways to rearrange the Lynx routes to generate more ridership.The programs in place are available to individuals if they meet requirements to receive the services for free or if they will pay a minimal fee for the ride.CCCT offers Carbon County residents public transportation within the county and to several points outside of the county, including areas such as Frackville, Hazleton, Walnutport and the Lehigh Valley Mall in Lehigh County.Services are provided from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.Customers must apply before being able to use the service. For more information on times of services or reserving a ride, call the Easton Coach Company in Nesquehoning at 570-669-6380 or visit

www.carboncounty.com/transport.htm.In other county matters, the commissioners discussed or approved the following items:• Commissioner Thomas J. Gerhard announced that there are 18 dogs available for adoptions at the shelter at this time. Additionally, the new entrance of the facility is almost complete. The project included removing the garage door and replacing it with a wall and door. This entrance will now be used by visitors.• Gerhard said that the Lehighton Band played at Eurana Park last Sunday during the Paws in The Park event. A total of $139 was raised during the event and donated to the animal shelter.• Nothstein thanked the various Lions Clubs for all their hard work in making the annual Carbon County Fair a success and for keeping the 4-H program alive in the county.