Penndot rejects EMTA charter agreement

Penndot rejects EMTA charter agreement: The EMTA agreement reached Monday afternoon is unacceptable according the department of transportation. Penndot rejected the county's  agreement just hours after the deadline .    By noon Monday, Penndot said an EMTA  charter needed to be in place.  The city, the Mayor and Erie County Executive signed off on a 10 year charter dea;.  The county,  however, submitted a five year charter agreement.    'Unfortunately, there are some (County Council members)  that just are not in favor I guess of what the County Executive,  the Mayor and Mr. Mirski from City Council put forward  a ten year charter, '  said Ed Dimattio, Erie Erie County Council member.    In a written response to Erie County Council, Pennsylvania Department of Transportation said the county has until October 25th to agree on the charter or  Penndot will take over the transit authority.    Councilman Ed Dimattio is remaining hopeful County Council will reconsider and agree on the 10 year charter.   'I think five years would be tremendous but I'm not going to let that hold me up you know this has gone on for long enough where are this close whether it is five years or 10 years I really think it is a little consequence at this point , ' said Dimattio.    Pennsylvania Secretary of Transportation Leslie Richards stated in the  written responses to County Council,    'In my view the compromise agreement is acceptable to Penndot and is in the best interest of the citizens of Erie county. '    The county has until October 25th to agree with the proposed charter, or the state will take over the transit authority.