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Adams County Transit sees ridership growth; wins larger federal, state awards for next year
Summary
Adams County Transit reported increasing ridership during a second‑year INDOT demonstration, will pick up work trips from Bluffton’s HomeCourt starting in January, and said federal/state awards approved for next year total $250,000 (federal) and $42,000 (state). Commissioners asked staff to return with recommended driver pay scales.
Adams County Transit reported rising ridership and new funding commitments that the director said will help expand driver pay and services.
Michelle, who presented passenger and operational updates, said the system is adding new riders and will assume work trips previously run by Bluffton organization HomeCourt beginning in January. “One of the organizations in Bluffton called HomeCourt had been providing transportation for their workers and beginning January, they will no longer be doing that. So we are picking up all of those work trips,” Michelle said.
Michelle said the county’s INDOT demonstration began two years ago and that initial federal seed funding was $50,000 in year one and $100,000 in year two; she said the county’s next‑year awards include $250,000 in federal funds and $42,000 from the state. She told commissioners most of the new money will go toward driver pay and operating capacity.
Commissioners asked how many drivers are used and whether capacity exists; Michelle said the fleet is not yet fully utilized daily and estimated she uses 11 drivers and would hire at least two more to meet the new workload. She asked the board to confirm recommended pay bands at an upcoming meeting so hires can begin.
The board acknowledged the transit program’s role in the countywide vision plan and encouraged staff to return with a pay recommendation and timeline for hiring.
