By BOB SHRALUKA
WZBD.com
A bubbly Michelle Lengerich recently gave Decatur City Council all manner of positive information about the major growth of Adams County Transit.
“Overall, I could not be more pleased,” she exclaimed at the Tuesday council meeting.
The business was launched by the Adams County Council on Aging – of which Lengerich is director – in January of 2024. It is based in the MERIT Center (former Northwest school).
This year and last, the transit system is in a “demonstration phase” with the Indiana Department of Public Transportation (INDOT). Then, for 2026, Lengerich said, she hopes to be able to obtain a substantial increase in state and federal support.
Actually, the ride service is in its 51st year, but started as a service only for senior citizens and people with physical challenges. No fees were charged, although those who could afford to pay were asked to do so.
Then last year it was expanded into a county-wide service available to the public with a fee schedule.
Veterans who reside in Adams County still ride free, however.
A large increase in ridership has led to an expansion of hours for the transit system, from the longtime 8 a.m.-4 p.m. hours to the current 6 a.m.-6 p.m.
“So we’re able to get both ends of the work day,” Lengerich said.
Staff numbers also have increased, to 16.
The director talked about the new garage built to the west of the MERIT Center, along 12th St., needed to house the system’s eight vehicles.
“This is way more than I ever expected. It just blows me away,” Mayor Dan Rickord said of the transportation service.
Councilwoman Abby Wilder agreed: “It’s a great service.”
Council closed the transit talk by making its annual donation to the council on aging, approving $22,000, the same as last year.
THE NUMBERS: Ridership in the first quarter of this year is up 48%, 2,605 compared to 1,798 in the first quarter of 2024.
Fees collected in this first quarter have increased 51%, $14,579 compared to $9630.50 in the first quarter of ’24.
Roughly 70% of the trips taken with the transit system are for medical reasons.
Ranking second in the number of trips are for employment purposes, followed by supermarket/grocery visits.
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