JACKSON TWP — A busing company aims to increase its services in the area.

Valley Lines, a busing company that serves the Seneca Valley School District, plans on building a maintenance and parking facility on Route 19 north of downtown Zelienople.

The lot on which the facility will be constructed has about 18 buses. However, company officials said a total of about 30 would be in the area once the 140-foot-by-50-foot facility is built.

“It's kind of a unique project in that it's functioning right now as its intended purpose other than the maintenance aspect,” said Tony Clerici, a representative for Hanover Engineering. “The buses are there and the parking area has been stabilized.”

Five staff members will be stationed at the facility.

The plan was brought before the township planning commission Wednesday evening.

The busing company also plans on converting a building previously used for a trucking company into a second maintenance area.

The site on 2328 Evans City Road is in use and has about 35 buses. No expansion for that lot is planned.

Officials said buses would not leave or enter the lots at once, but would do so in staggered patterns. The buses leave the lots twice a day — in the morning when students go to school and in the afternoon when school is let out.

“We don't envision waiting for 30 buses at a time,” Clerici said.

The planning commission unanimously recommended both plans. A public hearing will be held for the projects on May 18.