Struzzi Requests Study of Rural Mass, Public Transit Options

July 13, 2023

HARRISBURG – When you think of mass public transit, you naturally think of urban areas. State Rep. Jim Struzzi (R-Indiana) wants to look at unmet public transportation needs from a rural perspective.

“Indiana County already has great public transportation with the Indiana County Transit Authority (IndiGO), but there are many cases where it is still difficult in outlying areas for people to get to work, medical appointments and other day-to-day destinations,” said Struzzi, who is a member of the House Transportation Committee. “We need to understand comprehensively where those needs and gaps in the system are and what solutions might be proposed. People who live in big cities aren’t the only ones who are interested in public transportation, and I’d like to take a statewide look at what we have, don’t have, and could have when it comes to helping rural Pennsylvanians get to where they want and need to go.”

Struzzi has authored House Resolution 174, which would task the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee (LBFC) with conducting a comprehensive study of mass/public transit in Pennsylvania’s rural communities.

“The LBFC would have 12 months after the adoption of this resolution to present the General Assembly with its findings and recommendations,” Struzzi added. “The possibilities are endless, but are they sustainable and feasible from a number of perspectives…and will consumers use them? That’s a lot to study before we even take the next step or know what the next step is.”

Questions about this or any legislative issue should be directed to Struzzi’s Indiana district office at 724-465-0220.