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After years of talking about extending bus service beyond greater Altoona, Amtran Wednesday formally approved a pilot route to the north, with stops in Bellwood and Tyrone.
The pilot will debut the week of June 5, along with two hours' additional service in the evenings for all but one of Amtran's basic routes -- although the pilot will operate only on Saturdays at first, coupled with previously approved trips to DelGrosso's Park.
In late August, Amtran will add two weekdays to the Saturday schedule for the pilot, until the end of the year, so that by then, the authority will know whether ridership warrants making the northern route permanent.
It will be the first regular service extension beyond greater Altoona in about two decades, according to Amtran CEO Josh Baker.
The authority drew back from those previous efforts.
Officials in Bellwood and Tyrone are supportive.
"I'm just anxious to see if it works out, and (if) it's an interest our residents have," said Bellwood Manager Hope Ray.
It makes sense to run a pilot to gauge interest before the borough would become responsible to help pay for Amtran's costs, Ray said.
"I believe we'll find Tyrone will utilize the service," said Tyrone Manager Ardean Latchford. "Depending on costs, once the study is complete -- we'll see where we go from there."
Amtran designed and tested the route some time ago, although the authority has tested it with an empty bus in recent weeks, noting the width of streets, the mileage and the timing, according to Baker.
The route will begin and end at the Martin's Foods Market in Bellmeade, where the authority's Greenwood route ends.
It will take someone boarding in Tyrone an hour to reach downtown Altoona, using the Greenwood route connection, Baker said.
Amtran will use a full-size bus, anticipating that if the pilot draws the system average of 11 riders, the authority's Ford eight-passenger Transit would be too small.
The pilot will operate 10 to 12 hours a day, which means approximately 10 trips, Baker said.
Initially, the plan was to start Saturday service at 11 a.m., coordinating with the opening of the park, but it's now likely to start earlier, Baker said.
All the changes that will begin the week of June 5 will cost the authority about $650,000 for this year.
The costs of the northern pilot haven't been broken out from that total yet, Baker said.
Amtran plans to ask Bellwood and Tyrone officials for guidance in publicizing the northern route.
That may involve Amtran employees attending municipal meetings and visiting senior centers and community action agencies.
The charge for a one-way trip is $1.75; people 65 and older ride for free, while those with disabilities can ride for half price.
Cash is accepted, although drivers don't carry change. Instead, drivers will have "smart cards" available that can be loaded with credit.
If the pilot is made permanent, Amtran will need to discuss with officials of the two boroughs about the need to contribute a local share to the service, Baker said, noting it is a PennDOT requirement.
PennDOT calculates the amount of the local share based on a formula.
The new service will make it easier for Tyrone residents who don't have a car to get to DelGrosso's Park, to the Martin's in Bellmeade and to Altoona for shopping and doctors' appointments, Latchford said.
Mirror Staff Writer William Kibler is at 814-949-7038.