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By P. DOUGLAS FILAROSKI; Times Leader Staff Writer
Sunday, November 20, 1994     Page: 3A

WILKES-BARRE — A week ago, Paul Rismiller and his children would have been
stranded on a sunny Saturday with nothing to do.
   
But thanks to a temporary return of Saturday bus service, Rismiller — who
doesn’t own a car — celebrated his children’s good report cards by taking
them to the movies Saturday.
    “There’s only so much you can do at home,” said Rismiller, riding next to
Kristen, 10, and Philip, 9. “When it’s warm you go to the park. But it’s
getting cold, and you end up sitting at home.”
   
Like weekend bears hibernating since February, bus riders came out onto
Public Square on a Saturday for the first time in months, tramping onto buses
and foraging in area stores.
   
Holed up on weekends since the financially strapped Luzerne County
Transportation Authority decided to eliminate Saturday service nine months
ago, riders were thrilled to be out.
   
“We’re going Christmas shopping,” said Deidra Trivus, 26, of Kingston,
sitting on a bench with Shana Amos, 25, of Forty Fort. Both were waiting for a
bus to go to Wyoming Valley Mall.
   
“We’re happy the buses are back,” Amos said. “My mom is happy, too. Now she
doesn’t have to drive us around on Saturdays.”
   
Two weeks ago, the LCTA decided to return an abridged version of Saturday
service for six weeks through Dec. 24. LCTA officials say they might consider
permanent Saturday service once ridership numbers are in.
   
In the meantime, riders and merchants alike said they will simply enjoy the
service while they can.
   
For George Elias, manager of Revco drugstore on Public Square, that means
finally seeing some life on Saturdays in his downtown store.
   
“On recent Saturdays, it’s been like a morgue in here,” Elias said. “This
is great. We hope it can continue — even after the holidays.”
   
Customers stood three-deep at his checkout. Two elderly women shopped in
the medicine aisle, and others browsed in the store, as well.
   
Across Public Square, Colleen Mulroy, a clerk at The Heritage Shop, said
business there had picked up, too. Two months ago, clerks could go until noon
before seeing their first customer, another worker said.
   
Crowds of two dozen stood at bus stops in front of each store, a sight
merchants said has been rare on Public Square.
   
On buses — some of which had standing-room only — the talk was all about
the restored Saturday service.
   
Dolores Slusark rode the bus from Old Forge with her niece and
granddaughter. Slusark’s niece, Monica Stevens, turned 11 on Nov. 10 and her
cousin, Michelle D’Amico, is going to be 7 on Nov. 25.
   
Slusark was taking the girls to the mall to get gifts for their birthdays.
   
“We’re going to take advantage of it as long as we can,” Slusark said.
   
The elderly woman next to them said without the buses, she is forced to sit
home on weekends. There’s not even any good television on Saturday — just
sports — another woman said.
   
“At least on the weekdays, I work until 11, then “The Price Is Right” comes
on. I have my lunch, and I get out,” she said.
   
Downtown merchants, who cried loudest at the loss of Saturday service,
introduced an idea to LCTA officials this week they think would help make
Saturday service feasible.
   
LCTA director Harold Edwards has said Saturday bus service — even during
the holiday season — will probably lose money.
   
Joe Nardone Sr., who heads the Downtown Merchants Association, said members
are considering discount bus tickets for their customers — an idea the group
plans to pitch more formally around Christmas, he said Friday.
   
Practically everyone, except LCTA officials, said they would like to see
bus service return for good on Saturday.
   
One bus driver, who did not want to give his name, went even further.
   
“If it was up to me,” the driver said, “there would be 24-hour service,
seven days a week.”
   
T
   
his is great. We hope it can continue — even after the holidays
   
George Elias
   
Manager of Revco drugstore on Public Square