Adams County transit reports ridership gains and secures grant certifications

Adams County’s public transportation program reported strong first-quarter growth and won commissioners’ formal sign-off on grant paperwork Monday.

A presenter told the board the transit program’s first-quarter metrics show trips up 45 percent, fares up 30 percent and ridership up 9 percent compared with the previous period. The presenter said demand has strained driver availability—some drivers have worked double shifts—and that the program is seeking replacement vehicles (a van and a transit vehicle) to expand capacity.

County staff noted partnerships and local supports: Community Corrections provided about $1,000 in vouchers that made free rides available to participants, and local clinics have purchased vouchers to help patients keep appointments. The presenter also said the program logged only 12 unmet trip requests in the previous quarter and would report unmet-trip counts to INDOT.

On the administrative side, commissioners accepted the program’s quarterly claim and unanimously adopted a resolution authorizing the county to file its 2026 federal transit grant application. Commissioners also signed or authorized several required certifications and a special-warranty/pass-through agreement that governs use of INDOT-provided vehicles. One staff member said the pass-through agreement and other documents will be reviewed further by the county attorney and returned to the board for signature where needed.

Next steps: staff will pursue vehicle replacement requests to INDOT, continue voucher partnerships, and return with signed pass-through agreements and any requested revisions after legal review.