End of line for 88 Transit?

The apparent end of the run for a Mid-Mon Valley business came as a surprise last week to the lone driver left from the group that formed it in 1962.

"We're out of business," 88 Transit President Stanley Nabozny said.

"It's the way it is now, and I guess that's the way it's going to be."

The only carrier in the 24-year history of the Mid Mon Valley Transit Authority seemingly was voted out of business last week when the Speers-based bus company was underbid for the contract to provide driver and maintenance services for the Mid-Mon Valley Transit Authority.

The transit company was formed by a group of Greyhound drivers. Greyhound decided to divest itself of its local service - including one it operated in the Valley - and concentrate on nationwide service.

In mid-1980s, the employee-owned transit company was approached by the Southwestern Pennsylvania Regional Planning Commission with a request to help form a local transit authority.

Because Monessen had become an urbanized area, the Valley would be eligible for state and federal money to provide transit services if an authority was formed.

After the authority was formed in 1985, it contracted with 88 Transit to continue its local service. That includes transit service within the Valley as well as runs in and out of Pittsburgh. But that relationship is about to end.

Last week, the authority board overwhelmingly approved First Transit, a national company headquartered in Cincinnati, as its new carrier. First Transit bid $6,845,389.12 for the three-year contract, significantly lower than the $8,530,281 bid by 88 Transit or the $8,474,754.44 bid by GG&C Bus Co., of Washington, Pa.

Nabozny said he was surprised by the First Transit bid.

"I know we couldn't bid that low," Nabozny said.

88 Transit's contract expires June 30. It was a three-year deal with an option for one additional year. The transit carrier received $6,482,521 in the first three years of the contract.

The authority owns the fleet of 33 buses, which includes six newly purchased 40-foot buses that will be placed into service on the commuter route to Pittsburgh.

First Transit will establish local operations at a site that has yet to be determined. 88 Transit is based in Upper Speers.

The new three-year contract covers all fixed and paratransit services offered by the authority.

But who holds the authority to operate a transit service in the Valley•

"We're the only company that had PUC operating authority," Nabozny said. "We still have it."

Authority spokesman Marc Roncone said his agency has the right to operate in the Valley because its 21 member communities formed an authority and provide local matching dollars. There could be some question related to the right to operate along Route 88 in the Finleyville and Crookham Township areas, Roncone said.

The Port Authority of Allegheny County gives the MMVTA authority to pick up riders along Route 88 and operate routes in and out of Pittsburgh.

If Nabozny files a complaint with the state Public Utility Commission, it would force the commonwealth to decide who has authority to operate along MMVTA routes.

Nabozny declined to comment on that matter.

PUC spokeswoman Jennifer Kocher said First Transit has authority to operate buses in Pennsylvania, according to a 2003 ruling. She was unsure if that authority includes any local counties.

Nabozny said he wants to see his drivers hired by the new company.

Last week, Dan Cuthbert, president of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1743, said the Transportation Employees Act, protects the employees' jobs during a takeover.

But where will that leave Nabozny, who no longer drives buses?

"I probably won't fit in," Nabozny said.

Asked if he will retire, Nabozny replied, "I don't have any choice."