The York Adams Transportation Authority (rabbittransit) in York, PA, broke ground Oct. 19 for its new Gettysburg Transit Center. The authority manages and operates Freedom Transit fixed route service in Gettysburg.

The design of the 1,500-square-foot structure fits with the historic charm of the town, reflecting the aesthetic of the adjacent Historic Gettysburg Railroad Station—where President Abraham Lincoln arrived by train to give his Gettysburg Address. Interior plans call for a mixture of stone and natural materials to complement the inner design of the Gettysburg National Military Park Visitor Center.

The authority noted that it expects the Gettysburg Transit Center to serve as a cornerstone of the Gettysburg experience, to provide visitors and residents alike the ability to connect to the entire community.

Site enhancements will include streetscape improvements with associated landscaping and pedestrian scale lighting, stormwater management rain gardens to improve runoff water quality, plus four bus bays. Improvements to the southerly property boundary will incorporate a connection with a planned bike path facility and other site amenities such as lighting, landscaping, and a bike rack, as well as way-finding and historic signage.

In addition, the transit facility will be the first boarding location of the rabbitEXPRESS commuter bus service between Gettysburg and Harrisburg, the state capital. The bus service also connects Harrisburg’s airport and Amtrak station with historic downtown Gettysburg.

Funding for the project came from the Federal Transit Administration, Pennsylvania DOT, and Pennsylvania Department of Commerce and Economic Development.

Freedom Transit began providing fixed route service three years ago as a demonstration “Transit in the Parks” initiative. Ridership has continued to climb and trips increased by a total of 84 percent this year as compared to last.

“The need to cement our transit footprint is even stronger as the 150th celebration of the Civil War approaches [the Battle of Gettysburg was fought in 1863] and transportation infrastructure will be critical,” said Darlene Brown, authority board member.

Breaking ground for the Gettysburg Transit Center are, from left, York Adams Transportation Authority Board Member Richard Carson; authority Executive Director Richard Farr; Rep. Todd Platts (R-PA); Gettysburg Mayor William Troxell; PennDOT Division Chief Robert Sharp; Bob Kirby, superintendent of Gettysburg National Military Park & Eisenhower National Historic Site; Gettysburg Borough Council Vice President Holliday Giles; Scot Pitzer, field representative for state Sen. Richard Alloway; and transit board member Darlene Brown.