Buncombe County recently sent out a request for proposals from private firms to take over operations of its public transportation system. The system operates thirty-five vans and seven mini-buses, and made 138,311 trips last year. Continuing the service would cost the county about $600,000. The remainder of its $3 million budget is made up by government grants and user fees. Administration would be turned over to the Land-of-Sky Regional Council. LoSRS is a regional governmental planning agency funded by federal, state, and local tax collections. Also up for possible privatization would be Mountain Area JobLink, which provides employment training and counseling.
by Leslee Kulba
Wild West blogger