By Carol McIntire
Editor
August 31, 2010
Carroll County Transit continues to see growth in ridership.
During a public hearing for the 2010 operating and capital assistance grant last week, Director Patti Manfull said the rural transit system has seen growth in ridership the last several years.
In 2009, ridership increased by 18 percent over the previous year. A total of 32,845 passenger trips were made that year. Through June 30 2010, the service has transported 17,729 passengers, which is on track for another record year. This number is an increase of 2,462 trips over the same period last year.
Manfull presented information on the 2010 grant request. The proposed operating budget for 2011 is $409,390 and includes a federal allocation of $227,820 and state allocation of $43,766. The proposed capital budget is $48,588 for the purchase of a light transit narrow body handicap accessible 12 passenger van and $21,550 for capitalized maintenance. Application is being made for $43,729 in federal funds for the vehicle and $17,240 for capitalized maintenance. State funding is not available for 2011 capital projects.
Manfull noted that in spite of the demand for public transportation there are no plans for expansion of the service due to the lack of funding at the state level.
“Public transportation is at its highest demand ever, but unfortunately the systems in the state of Ohio are making extreme cutbacks in service in order to balance their budgets. Carroll County Transit has been able to avoid any major cutbacks by efficient scheduling and using smaller, more efficient vehicles in the process,” said Manfull.
“Public transportation is a needed service for our rural county with the high unemployment rate and loss of jobs in the area. We will continue to make the effort to provide Carroll County with an efficient, affordable mode of transportation.”
The service operates Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Trips must be scheduled one day in advance. Fares (based on a one-way trip) are as follows: Within the village of Carrollton, $2.50; within Carroll County, $4.50; and out of county, $7.50. There is an additional $.25 per mile charge for trips more than 40 miles one there is a $1 additional $1 fee per one-way trip for same day service based on availability. Children, accompanied by an adult, ride for free.
Following the public hearing, the director presented an update on the new Carroll County Transit building under construction in the Carroll County Commerce Park on SR 9 across from the Golden Age Retreat.
Manfull said the facility is about 25 percent complete, with footers dug and four courses of block laid. The steel building for the garage structure is expected to be delivered on or near Sept. 20. Plans, at the current time, are for the building to be completed in February. |
