Boone County transit reports highest ridership since 2019; commissioners approve 2025 grant partnership

Anita Bowen, representing Boone County Senior Services, presented the 2024 annual report for Boone Area Transit System (BATS) and asked the Boone County Commissioners to continue the county’s partnership required for the program’s federal and state grant funding.

Bowen told commissioners the rural transit program served 882 distinct riders in 2024 and provided 22,803 rides — an increase of 958 rides from 2023 and the highest ridership since 2019. She said BATS operates Monday through Friday with 22 drivers and 18 vehicles and that the county had signed paperwork for two new minivans to be delivered this year. Bowen identified the program’s 2025 grant as including a federal portion of $437,634 and a state portion of $86,078; she said the program must provide matching dollars to draw the federal portion and that the local match is raised by Boone County Senior Services and community partners.

Commissioners moved to approve continuing the partnership and signing the agreement documents required for the grant. The motion was seconded and carried. The transcript records thanks to Bowen and describes the commissioners’ approval as part of their document-signing actions.

Bowen illustrated the program’s role with three recent rider examples: a 13-year-old student served to return home from Western Boone School, an employee who commutes to work three days a week, and an older adult who volunteers at the Hussey-Mayfield Library in Zionsville. Bowen characterized the service as supporting employment, school attendance and community engagement; she asked the commissioners to approve continued county participation so the program can draw federal funding.