Funding for the continuance of the BTA Vernal Route was approved during
Wednesday
night’s Vernal City Council meeting. The issue of funding this specific route has been the topic of joint agency meetings since July. UBAOG Executive Director Laurie Brummond has stated that the Vernal route is the “heart of the BTA system…it’s the one that is used the most.” She also said that a survey indicated that the biggest reason Duchesne County BTA users travel to Vernal is for shopping. While the route from Roosevelt to Uintah County remains under contract and will continue, Uintah County Commissioner Mike McKee had explained that the Vernal route remained in question due to a lack of funding and that there is a $90,000 need to fund the Vernal route. Uintah County committed to funding 50 percent of that amount but Vernal City would be required to make up the difference. While Vernal City remained undecided, Vernal City Councilman Ted Munford proposed that Vernal City provide the funds needed for the Vernal BTA route for the coming fiscal year until PROP 1 can be placed on the ballot again and voters can decide once and for all if they support funding public transit or not. Following discussion during last night’s meeting, Munford’s proposal was approved and funding will be provided for the Vernal BTA route for at least one more year.
