Lackawanna Transit Center Opens

Scranton, Pa. – The County of Lackawanna Transit System (COLTS) held a ribbon-cutting ceremony Friday, November 20th for the Lackawanna Transit Center, located at 30 Lackawanna Ave, next to the state building.

“Today marks a momentous day for COLTS and Northeastern Pennsylvania,” said Bob Fiume, executive director of COLTS. “Many people have worked very hard for many years on this important project. This project would not have been possible without support from the Federal Transit Administration, PennDOT, and our federal, state and local public officials.”

The 6,020 square foot building cost $12.4 million. Construction began in Fall 2014 and COLTS buses will begin using the transit center on Monday, Jan. 4. The building is a modern, climate-controlled, cost-effective and environmentally friendly facility. Passengers will have access to real-time arrival and departure information, as well as indoor seating, vending machines and public       restrooms.

The roof features a 18,700 square foot vegetative roofing system that will prevent storm-water from immediately draining into the city’s storm system. The roof will also reduce heat transfer, keeping cooling costs down during warm weather.

The Transit Center has 13 bus berths and 72 parking spaces (along with two ADA accessible spaces and a van-accessible space).

Eight bus berths will be used by COLTS, and the other five by Martz Trailways, which is leasing space in the transit center.  COLTS’ administrative offices will remain at 800 North South Road in Scranton, but there is a drivers’ break room, a conference/training room, and an office for COLTS staff.

The Lackawanna Transit Center is a true multi-modal center, with public transit, inter-city buses and future passenger rail converging in one location. COLTS will be poised to begin the next phase of the project — construction of two platforms — when passenger rail service comes to Scranton. The space was reserved to have covered sidewalks for boarding and alighting, as well as a passenger ticketing area, so that there will be a seamless transition to integration of passenger rail service.

The Lackawanna Transit Center will be open from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m.