Recent articles in the Paducah Sun have done a pretty good job of explaining new Federal Transit Administration regulations regarding PATS' ability to provide charter transportation service. Here's an excerpt from the September 17th edition of the Paducah Sun:
Federal policy changes make it more difficult to charter a bus or trolley from the Paducah Area Transit Service, PATS spokesman Lew Jetton said at the Paducah City Commission’s workshop Tuesday.
The Federal Transit Administration’s new policy prevents nonprofit transit authorities receiving federal grant money from competing with private businesses for charter services. PATS must notify all 93 charter companies licensed to transport people in the region every time it receives a request. If any company is interested in providing the service, PATS may not do so, Jetton said.
Even if the customer cannot come to a price agreement with the private charter company, PATS is not allowed to offer an alternative, Jetton said.
“It’s going to complicate things,” he said.
The new rule could impact bus services for riverboat passengers visiting Paducah, Paducah Parks Department programs, and smaller, private gatherings such as weddings, Jetton said.
PATS should be able to request an exemption allowing it to continue providing bus service for the American Quilter’s Society Show & Contest because it is considered an event of regional significance, acting PATS Director Kim Adair told the commission."
The regulation is designed to protect private transportation companies from direct competition with nonprofit transit systems which receive federal funds. This is undoubtedly more of an issue in larger cities, than in smaller ones. PATS, for example, is classified as a Rural Transit.
Of course, the main concern of everyone in our community is making sure transportation is still available for weddings, Riverboat tour groups, Lowertown Art District Tours, and bigger events which are so important to the area economy. The biggest of these is the annual American Quilters Society Show in Paducah, which draws tens of thousands of quilt enthusiasts from all over the world. Another is the annual BBQ on the River, which draws around 50,000 to the Paducah Riverfront each September.
As mentioned in the article, PATS intends to apply for a special exemption to the regulations for next year's AQS Show, and has already received overwhelming public support for an exemption. In the meantime, Anchor Trailways Tours of Nashville/Paducah has pledged to work with PATS in an effort to make sure the wedding transportation, Riverboat Tours and Art District Tours and other special transportation needs are met. In fact, Anchor has already teamed with PATS to perform the Riverbarge Excursion Tours of Paducah's museums. They can do this by leasing the vehicles and drivers from PATS.
Unfortunately, the timing of the regulation's implementation led to the cancellation of plans for a shuttle service for the annual BBQ on the River. PATS was to have provided the shuttle service, but at the last minute, was forced to scramble to comply with the new regulations, while precious time ticked away. The end result was time ran out. This shouldn't be a problem next year as we'll have plenty of time to dot all the i's and cross all the t's.
In the end, we want to assure everyone who needs transportation, be it for a trip to the store or for a special event, we'll do everything we can to make sure you get there!
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