The Ohio Valley Regional Transportation Authority eliminated several bus routes in June in favor of sending buses to The Highlands and Moundsville. Thursday, they reviewed the performance of those routes.

According to reports, ridership is down and is not meeting the 75 percent average standard for passengers per mile.

Wheeling Councilman Vern Seals said he was against service reductions.

"You talk about people going to work or shopping or to the doctor -- reduction in service affected drivers going to and from work on these routes, you've got to consider that," Seals said.

Seals further said taxpayers are paying for a service they can't even use.

"We in other communities had to pass the bus levy to even receive the service. They couldn’t get the service until the bus levies were passed, but you're seeing the buses to The Highlands and Moundsville. There's no levy for them to receive that service but they are getting it," he said.

But not everyone agrees. A former OVRTA board member who jumpstarted the Highlands route said it should stay.

"Nonetheless here I think it's proven itself, not only because it now accommodates shoppers, but people going to jobs," said Charles Ballouz.

Board members are now considering cutting service to Moundsville and reintroducing service to Wheeling Island and Wheeling Park.

Any decision would have to be discussed further in a public meeting. Stay with NEWS9 and WTOV9.com for continuing coverage.

Previous Stories: April 22, 2009: Buses To Start Running At Highlands November 19, 2007: Buses Running From Downtown Wheeling To Highlands November 13, 2007: Trial Bus Service Will Run To Highlands October 9, 2007: Business Leaders, Citizens Share Opinions On Highlands Bus Issue August 21, 2007: Still No Plans To Run Buses To Highlands