Latest news with #MariaSmith
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Mountain Line Transit Authority temporarily cuts down customer service hours
MORGANTOWN, (WBOY) — The Mountain Line Transit Authority is temporarily scaling back its customer service hours as of Tuesday, May 27, amid staffing shortages, according to officials. CEO Maria Smith told 12 News that the reason for this change is the fact that the Morgantown facility currently has one full-time employee, as opposed to two like they usually have. Prior to this change, the transit authority had customer service availability seven days a week, from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Moving forward, Mountain Line Transit Authority will offer customer service to its customers from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday. 'So we're cutting back the hours in order to you know, not burn them out,' said Smith. 'We do expect this to be a temporary problem [and] that we'll be back to full staff soon.' According to Smith, Mountain Line typically keeps a part-time employee on their staff who would fill in during times when it was facing a shortage. However, it's currently having trouble filling that position, which has resulted in them getting temporary help from somebody with a temp agency. 'They've carried us through a little bit up until now, but they were no longer able to continue,' Smith added, regarding the temp worker. Therefore, the facility is looking to hire temps and/or a part-time employee to help spread out some of the work, so that they can return to normal hours of operation for the customer service center. Cheeseman to return as Doddridge County Superintendent This part-time worker would typically cover on Wednesdays, but Smith stated that they should be prepared to cover whenever either of the other two employees are out sick or on vacation. Some of the job responsibilities include updating the mobile app and answering phone calls for all riders, which includes letting them know where buses are and what time they're arriving if there's some sort of delay. In the interim, Mountain Line Transit Authority will have staff members available from 3-5 p.m. to answer some questions via phone call. Anytime after that window, riders are encouraged to download the mobile app and make sure to be at their bus stop at least five minutes prior to their bus's scheduled arrival time. 'All services are running as […] normal,' said Smith. 'Currently, there's a lot of construction in the area, so some routes are running a little bit late, but everything is still running.' Anybody interested in applying should call the Mountain Line Transit Authority at (304) 296-3680. Smith also told 12 News that all of Mountain Line's local routes are running as usual, including their Grey Line. The Pifer Terminal will still be open to the public as well, including access to the restrooms and waiting area. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
23-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Air Ambulance charity needs £5m each year to maintain 'lifesaving service'
The Wiltshire and Bath Air Ambulance charity has revealed it needs more than £5m each year to maintain its "lifesaving service." Last year, the charity responded to a record 1,343 missions, showing the crucial need for its critical care. Doctors were present on over half of these missions, significantly enhancing the medical care provided. However, this increased presence of doctors comes with additional costs, putting more pressure on the charity's finances at a time when it is already feeling the strain of rising utility bills, fuel costs and National Insurance contributions. READ MORE: Wiltshire College creates realistic medical teaching centre Wiltshire and Bath Air Ambulance needs £5 million annually to operate (Image: Wiltshire and Bath Air Ambulance) Chief executive David Philpott said: "We know the demand for our medical expertise has never been greater and that puts understandable pressures upon the charity. "Just like people across the country, we have been experiencing sharp rises in our utility bills, as well as fuel for our helicopter. "To be able to attend the majority of our missions with doctors on board is amazing for the people of Wiltshire and Bath. "However, that adds further cost pressures to deliver the enhanced clinical care a doctor brings." Wiltshire and Bath Air Ambulance has included doctors in its crew since 2019, allowing them to perform critical procedures like repairing heart wounds, conducting caesarean sections and anaesthetising patients. SEE MORE: NHS staff plant dozens of trees at Salisbury area practices Record 1,343 missions highlight rising demand for air ambulance service (Image: Wiltshire and Bath Air Ambulance) Medical director Maria Smith said: "Having doctors on board massively enhances the level of critical care we can provide, enabling us to carry out complex surgical procedures, advanced pain management and lifesaving interventions directly at the scene. "Essentially, we can bring the hospital to the patient and every mission we undertake represents someone's loved one - a parent, child, sibling or friend. "Ensuring we have the resources to deliver the best possible care is our priority." The charity, which has been operating since 1990, is celebrating its 35th anniversary this month. Mr Philpott expressed his gratitude for the community's support over the years, stating: "We are very fortunate that the people of Wiltshire and Bath have supported our charity for 35 years, digging deep to donate the necessary funds needed so we can continue to be there for those people who need us most." However, he emphasised that the charity now needs the community's support more than ever to sustain its vital service.
