Parish considers smaller local match after state CARES funds lower parish share for rural transit

Officials from the Rapides Area Planning Commission asked the council to consider contributing local matching funds so the Grandview Public Transit Cooperative can continue operating service in Natchitoches Parish. Matt Johns said the state added about $107,000 in CARES funding that, if concentrated in Natchitoches, could reduce the parish match from the previously discussed $40,500 to approximately $33,000. "If we can move the 107,000 into Natchitoches only, that would reduce the burden just to maintain ... about 33,000," Johns said.

Johns described operational improvements the commission is pursuing, including smaller, more fuel‑efficient vans based in the parish, a local driver to reduce deadhead miles, and pursuing Medicaid funding to offset costs. He said 40,500 had bought roughly 1,100 single‑direction trips in the previous 12 months and that the program counts each direction as a separate trip; the commission also banks funds to replace vehicles. Council members asked about service area, trip breakdowns and fare policies; no final funding decision was recorded during the work session.