Amtran has a deputy leader again.

Almost a year ago, when General Manager Eric Wolf retired, his deputy Josh Baker assumed the top job, which was redesignated CEO.

Transportation Supervisor Michele Barnes was identified as a candidate for Baker’s old job, but in October, Barnes left to take a post as director of transportation for Camtran in Johnstown.

Late this month, Barnes returned to Amtran as deputy CEO.

“She’ll be my right arm,” Baker said. “She’ll be involved with all our departments,” including assisting with human resources and the safety program.

That will free Baker to handle “the bigger picture stuff,” he said.

Barnes will earn $70,000 a year.

Youth discount extended

Amtran’s board this month also approved an expansion of its young rider discount.

Previously, the discounted fare of $1 to ride all day for customers age 7 through 20 applied only in summer.

As of Jan. 1, the discount will apply year-round.

It replaces a $1.10 charge (or $1 with a smart card) for young people for each trip.

The impetus for the change was a driver’s observations about difficulties experienced by some parents with multiple children as they rode about town to do errands like doctor visits and supermarket shopping, Baker said.

In one case, a mother with three kids only had enough cash to pay the fare for two of them, he said.

Kids under 7 continue to ride free.

Mirror Staff Writer William Kibler is at 814-949-7038.