(File Photo/Shelley Hanson) Jill Ash, director of the Tyler County Family Resource Network, talks about new efforts to bring public transportation to Wetzel, Tyler and surrounding counties. Members of a local transportation committee working to bring public transit to the Wetzel, Tyler, Doddridge, Marshall and Pleasants Counties are urging residents to take a survey at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/NorthwestWVRuralTransit.

NEW MARTINSVILLE – Just a couple days remain for residents of Wetzel and Tyler Counties to make their voices heard regarding future public transportation plans in the region.

Members of a local transportation committee working to bring public transit to the Wetzel, Tyler, Doddridge, Marshall and Pleasants Counties are urging residents to take a survey at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/NorthwestWVRuralTransit; the deadline to do so is Dec. 6.

In a letter to the community, Tom Cooper, director of the Tyler County Emergency Management Agency, and Jill Ash, director of the Tyler County Family Resource Network, said the committee is “exploring ways to improve mobility and address transportation challenges in our communities.”

“We need your voice. For the past several months, our transportation committee has been working with the Tyler County Commission and West Virginia Department of Transportation in Charleston and RLS & Associates, a consulting firm specializing in public transit solutions from Dayton, Ohio,” the letter states.

“Together with the county commissioners in Doddridge, Marshall, Pleasants and Wetzel counties, we are exploring ways to improve mobility and address transportation challenges in our communities.”

Currently the counties have no public transportation for residents to use. Ash said recently that there are many residents who need help getting to medical appointments and other destinations. She noted the counties have already pledged to contribute funding for the endeavor.

“The survey is now live and your feedback will play a crucial role in shaping the future of transit in these counties,” the letter adds. “Whether you drive yourself or have unmet transit needs, we want to hear from you. Even if you don’t use public transit, your feedback is still valuable.”

After the survey period, RLS is expected to analyze the data and work with the WVDOT to create a solution to the transportation issue.

“Your participation ensures that these solutions reflect the voices in our communities,” the committee members note.

For more information, people can call Christy Campoll at RLS at 937-299-5007 or email her at ccampoll@rlsandassoc.com.