HOPEWELL, Va. (WTVR) -- The Hopewell bus line may be on the road to extinction.
The bus line was established only three years ago, in 2011. The creation of the bus service was funded by a federal and statewide grant that will not be renewed in 2014. As funding dwindles away, city officials are scrambling to figure out what's next.
"It's about $218,000 that the city would have to come up with to run it at that level," City Councilman Wayne Walton said. "I would hope that we would come up with the money."
With 32 stops and over 800 riders weekly, Walton says the city is trying to explore ways to make the bus line still work. While there are lots of options, Walton also says it will be difficult to do without a new source of revenue or funding cuts from other sources.
City officials are planning to hold more public forums on the matter to give citizens a chance to make their voice heard.
Freda Atkins frequents the Hopewell bus line and feels strongly about the future of the bus line. She says it would be a huge loss for the community if the bus line were to close.
"I think a lot of people would miss it if they got rid of it," Atkins said.
