“This project represents an important investment in the continued growth of transportation services in our community, with a focus on improving customer service, safety and security for both our STEP transportation staff and the customers we serve,” said Rachelle Abbott, STEP’s president and CEO.

On hand for the official ribbon-cutting for the three-building facility was state Secretary of Transportation Michael Carroll.

“STEP is a key part of this community’s transportation options and a critical endeavor for individuals receiving medical assistance, individuals with disabilities and older adults, and linking them to health care, jobs, and vital social connection,” Carroll said.

“STEP’s shared ride transportation is especially important for people with disabilities and older adults living outside of public transit routes, a considerable portion of their mostly rural service area across Clinton and Lycoming County. STEP’s dedicated transportation facility will meet and serve as a model for several projects across the state, putting capital investments in safe and secure facilities like you see here,” he told the group gathered for the event inside the center’s 48-bay garage which will provide a secure site for housing vehicles.

KAREN VIBERT-KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette The ribbon is cut at the STEP Transportation Facility ceremony in Williamsport on Friday.

He noted that 73 percent of the people who utilize STEP’s transportation services have no other option.

“Literally public transit here in Lycoming and Clinton counties is a lifeline,” Carroll said.

The Department of Transportation invested over $7 million in the project which includes, in addition to the garage, an administration building and an enclosed vehicle cleaning center. The interior spaces of the facilities have been furnished and outfitted for daily operations through a grant from the Williamsport Lycoming Fund at the First Community Foundation Partnership of Pennsylvania (FCFP). Additionally, the project was made possible through the cooperation of the Fairfield Auto Group, neighbors at the new facility and longtime partners of STEP Transportation.

Lycoming County Commissioner Scott Metzger also spoke of the critical need that STEP Transportation meets.

“Because as we live in the largest geographical county in the state, many of those seniors, many of those people with disabilities struggle and stress every day, how am I going to get from point A to point B? How am I going to get my groceries? How am I going to get to my medical appointments? And this is the connection between point A and point B,” he said.

KAREN VIBERT-KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette State Secretary of Transportation Michael Carroll speaks at the STEP Transportation Facility ceremony and ribbon cutting in Williamsport on Friday.

He pointed out that the 300 staff members and the 400 volunteers at STEP, including the drivers of the STEP vehicles, make a difference in the lives of those people.

“When you come to work every day, you are making a difference,” he said.

Metzger said that he gets phone calls from county residents asking what STEP can do for them and sometimes they call back thanking him and STEP for the help they were given.

He shared how one woman in her 90’s thanked him and STEP profusely for helping her get to her appointment and for simply just listening to her needs.

“A lot of times our seniors aren’t heard. Our people with diverse abilities aren’t heard. STEP hears them and they make that difference,” Metzger said.

State Sen. Gene Yaw, R-Loyalsock Township, who chairs the Center for Rural Pennsylvania, an agency of the legislature that studies issues facing rural residents of the state.

He shared that data the group had collected showed that between now and 2050, the population in the state is going to grow just a little, nothing compared to some other states. He noted that the rural areas of the state are losing population.

“Every one of my counties between now and 2050, assuming the status quo, is going to lose population. That’s not good,” Yaw said.

“Just think about health care and what’s happening and you hear about hospitals closing or cutting services, which just increases the need for transportation,” he said.

“You know it’s an amazing place to live but sometimes it’s difficult and the services STEP provides for people-the ride share, but especially the medical transportation-it’s invaluable,” he added.

Praising the support of the state and the FCFP in making the transportation center a reality, Williamsport Mayor Derek Slaughter spoke of what can be accomplished when organizations work together.

“These partnerships demonstrate what can be accomplished when organizations come together with a shared vision,” Slaughter said.

“Today is especially meaningful, for the first time since STEP Transportation began serving our community…drivers will have a place to call their own. This place is more than bricks and mortar. It’s a home base for the dedicated professionals who help our residents get where they need to go every day,” he said.

“STEP’s unique door to door shared ride service provides a vital lifeline for older adults and residents with mobility challenges, helping them maintain their independence and access to health care services and opportunities they depend on,” he added.

Also speaking at the event were Jennifer Wilson, president and CEO of FCFP and state Rep. Joe Ham, R-Hepburn Township.