Natrona resident Cindy Brashears depends on a free community shuttle to go grocery shopping, check books out at the library and mail packages at the post office.
“I use it every week,” said Brashears, 71, of the bus sponsored since 2019 by nonprofit Allegheny Family Network. “The shuttle is usually full. There’s a lot of us who need it, and it’s been a blessing.”
Funding obstacles have threatened to put the brakes on the service in as little as three weeks, AFN officials said. Funding has all but dried up and, without emergency help, the bus will stop running July 31.
“We are facing a critical challenge,” said Misty Woody, chief strategy and development officer. “Due to the loss of funding, we can no longer sustain this free service without community support.”
The agency launched a public fundraiser Friday to keep the shuttle operating.
In previous years, the program was funded solely through donations from foundations that include the Heinz Endowments, Goodwill, Pittsburgh Foundation and United Way. The group has received no commitments yet for next year.
John Eliyas, CEO, said the public call is for an initial $7,500 to sustain service through the summer, but organizers are hoping to create a sustainable funding source through local businesses and community leaders.
He said free rides support people’s health, independence and quality of life, as riders depend on the service to buy groceries, get to doctor’s appointments and jobs, and access other essential services.
It costs $30,000 a year to run the bus three days a week, but service has been cut to two days a week to stretch funding.
“I didn’t realize they cut Wednesdays and I had to pay 20 bucks for an Uber to get to Walmart last week,” Brashears said. “I won’t like it if it stops altogether.”
Initially launched by a grant supporting AFN’s Adult Education Program, the shuttle was expanded for community use after the agency realized how many people could benefit.
Service yields about 175 rides a month. It travels through Tarentum, Brackenridge and Harrison, Ninth Avenue, First Avenue/River Avenue and Freeport Road to Highlands Mall. The route starts about 10 a.m. and goes through the early afternoon.
Woody said stops are targeted to accommodate populations where transportation is a concern. They include Golden Towers, Dalton’s Edge Community Life Center, Brackenridge Hall, Phillip Burtner Apartments, Negley Gardens, Harrison Hi-Rise, Sheldon Park and Village Green Apartments.
“For many, transportation is more than a convenience,” Eliyas said. “It is a lifeline. Access to transportation affects a person’s ability to purchase groceries, attend medical appointments, maintain employment and stay connected with family and friends.”
Donations can be made online at AlleghenyFamilyNetwork.org. Anyone interested can select the donate button for AFN Fundraising and type “Shuttle” in the notes section.