Business View Magazine l January 2023

218 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE VOLUME 9, ISSUE 12 The medium-duty buses range anywhere from 94,000 to 160-170,000 miles. And I could buy three or four buses for the price of one big one.” When Koonce discovered that PAT needed a little extra funding for new vehicles due to a shortfall in state and federal monies, he formed a partnership with People’s Advantage, a local federal credit union. “They donated $5,000 and we were able to buy our first new bus,” he states. “In exchange, we allowed them to advertise the bank on the bus. As time went on, we became really good partners. They helped city employees obtain credit; did credit management; offered credit classes. Some of the employees here didn’t even have checking accounts. Now everybody has a checking account, a savings account, and credit. I now sit on the bank board to help with projects to help move Petersburg forward, not just the transit, but the city itself.” A few years into Koonce’s leadership, the COVID-19 pandemic hit, severely cutting into PAT’s ridership numbers. Also, a small donnybrook erupted early in 2020, when Koonce decided to shut down all PAT bus services in the city out of concern for the health of its riders and operators. This was early in the pandemic cycle when cities, counties, and states across the country were trying to figure out how to best balance safety with the need to continue essential services. Because of fierce opposition to the shutdown from some community leaders and state transportation officials, it lasted a mere 32 hours, and service was quickly reinstated. One positive takeaway from the episode, however, is that it highlighted the importance of public transit to the residents and businesses of the city and its surrounding communities. In December 2021, the City of Petersburg promulgated its Strategic Plan for PAT. Its peoplesadvfcu.org 804.748.3081 YOUR NEW FINANCIAL FAMILY Discover the PAFCU di erence. A ordable Home Loans • Small Business Loans • Fast Cash Loans • Save to Win (Prize-Linked Savings Program) • Free Financial Coaching • Mobile Unit for your on-the-go needs Through of all of life's journeys we can help every step of the way.