PATS Sad To Announce Lay Offs

Paducah Area Transit System (PATS) began notifying 20 employees today, they were being laid off effective July 1st, 2008. The layoffs cover administrative personnel, customer service personnel and drivers. The layoffs became unavoidable when PATS lost the Kentucky Region One Medicaid Transportation Brokerage, and the $2.1 million contract which comes along with it, late last year. Leslie, Knott, Letcher, Perry Community Action Council, located in Jeff, Kentucky was awarded the Region One Brokerage, for the Purchase Area and takes over administration of the brokerage on July 1st.

PATS also suffered from a $600,000 reduction in its operating budget for the coming fiscal year, which begins July 1st. Coupled with the record high fuel prices, PATS was left with no alternative. PATS is also altering its fixed bus routes, to make them more fuel efficient and cost effective, and considering fare increases to help make up the deficit.