The LYNX bus Carbon County'sbest kept secret

Dear Editor:

Perhaps the local sights of Nesquehoning don't raise any eyebrows, but consider for a moment all those little CCTS buses that traverse the roads of this town and transport the elderly and disabled throughout Carbon County. Many people don't know that there is a bus, similar to the others, but unique because it's a public transportation bus, and it's called the LYNX. Perhaps you've noticed it as it passed by; it's a bigger bus than the others and has LYNX across the sides in blue letters. Many people assume that it's just another bus for the elderly, but it's for the public, even though the elderly and disabled can ride it.

So, for those of you who want nothing more than to leave Nesquehoning for many reasons, here is your way out. Here are the highlights on the misunderstood and rarely advertised bus. The LYNX bus isn't as majestic as the large motor coach bus, but it runs as far as the Lehigh Valley Mall on Tuesday and Thursday every week. On Monday through Friday, the route extends from CVS Pharmacy in town, where the buses are parked, to Jim Thorpe, Lehighton, Palmerton and Walnutport and it runs from Nesquehoning two times per day.

Only $3 will take you round-trip past the Palmerton and Gnaden Huetten hospitals, the Jim Thorpe Market, Gian, Aldi's, the Lehighton WalMart, and up to the K-Mart in Walnutport, and every place along the way. $5 will take you round-trip to the Lehigh Valley Mall. On Wednesday, there is a LYNX2 bus that comes from CVS to New Columbus and stops first at Redner's Market and heads to Lansford, Summit Hill, and Tamaqua. The run ends at Boyer's Market in Tamaqua.

Why doesn't everyone know about this transportation line? It's because the bus comes up Mermon Street to the red light in town. Anyone living on West Catawissa Street and the west part of town in general won't notice it. The bus turns left at the light and goes down East Catawissa Street and joins Route 209 to Jim Thorpe. If you live on the west side of Nesquehoning you may catch a glimpse of the LYNX2 as it goes down Catawissa, then up the hill to Redner's, before heading to Lansford. This route to Tamaqua is also $3 round-trip.

You can receive a schedule of the entire bus routes by calling the CCTS office at 669-6380, and take advantage of our public transportation. Plans are in the making for the LYNX2 to also make stops at the Hometown Farmers Market and the Hometown WalMart.

Fay Ruckhardt

Nesquehoning