Heffley Co-Sponsors Legislation to Restore PennDOT Services to Rural Communities
WEISSPORT – Calling their continued closure a huge inconvenience for rural residents, Rep. Doyle Heffley (R-Carbon) today announced his co-sponsorship of legislation that would force the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) to resume full services at its travel sites across the Commonwealth, including the one located in Lehighton.
“It is simply ridiculous these travel sites remain closed, which forces many residents in rural communities to seek out PennDOT services at centers that are farther away,” said Heffley. “I fully understand why the sites had to be closed during the pandemic, but with Pennsylvania now opening back up, these locations need to be back in full operation as well.”
House Bill 1456, also known as the Rural Access to PennDOT Services Act, would require the department to reopen Driver License Center sites to the operational level they were prior to the pandemic within two weeks of enactment.
Heffley noted there are 20 communities across rural Pennsylvania that are served by PennDOT staff who travel to the locations once or twice a week to offer certain types of services, such as driving tests. While the centers have been open for driver license photos, many services remain unavailable to rural residents without the inconvenience of traveling a long distance.
Heffley serves on the House Transportation Committee, which has taken the bill under consideration.