By BOB SHRALUKA
WZBD.com
The new Adams County Transit system, beginning its fifth month, “is going really well,” Michelle Lengerich told Decatur City Council at its latest meeting.
Lengerich, who is executive director of the Adams County on
Aging and heads up the countywide transportation, came before council to ask for some financial support, which she readily received.
Lengerich laid out for council how the new system came to be, starting 51 years ago when the council on aging provided free transportation to the elderly and the disabled.
Efforts to expand the system began several years ago, but was rebuffed by a couple of denials from state officials as well as the Adams County commissioners.
Eventually, the Indiana Department of Transportation reversed itself and gave its blessing, as did the local commissioners. In addition, some grant funds were secured, enabling the January 2 launch of Adams County Transit.
The system has provided 749 trips to county residents going to work in the first four months of the year, Lengerich noted. Some businesses are picking up the transit’s fee for their employees.
“The ripple effects are tremendous,” Lengerich said. “This is helping our community.”
She also pointed out how some people who lacked transportation can now hold a job, using the transit system.
Some 70% of the transportation provided is for medical reasons, and many of those are for kidney dialysis.
Mayor Dan Rickord asked if the transit system can be used by young people, to get to school, practices, etc.
Lengerich said there have been few young people taking part, but she was hopeful that more will in the future.
Fees collected by the transit authority in the first four months totaled $13,200, more than double the fees brought in over the same period last year.
Those charges, plus some funds provided by various entities in the county, are being used by the aging council to keep the transit system going.
However, Lengerich explained that if the system can prove to be stable after two years, “it will open us up to a good chunk of (grant) money” becoming available, money totaling several hundred thousand dollars.
So the director has been visiting various municipalities in the county, requesting a renewal of the funds given annually to the council on aging – and increases.
Decatur provided $20,000 to the council on aging last year, Lengerich asked for $22,000 this year, and it was granted.
LET’S RIDE: To secure a ride, an Adams County resident should call the council, 724-5316, 24 hours in advance of when they need the ride.
Hours of the service are 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The fee schedule is as follows:
* Trips within Adams County of 0-9 miles, $5 each way.
* Trips within Adams County of 10-20 miles, $10 each way.
* Trips within Adams County of 21-30 miles, $15 each way.
* A medical trip from Adams County to Wells or Allen counties, $1 per mile up to 50 miles one way.
Children under the age of 12 and accompanied by an adult ride for $1.
Children under the age of 12 traveling alone will be charged the regular Adams County Transit rate.
Active-duty and retired military veterans ride free with proof of service.
Credit cards are accepted.
