Adams County hears transit report as commissioners approve $45,000 for senior transportation

Michelle and Leah updated the commissioners on the county’s public transportation and senior services, reporting a 62% increase in trip numbers compared with the previous year and sustained growth in medical and well-being trips. Officials said fares and ridership have increased, service hours were expanded to 6 a.m.–6 p.m., and driver pay has risen; but fare revenue covers only a small portion of operating costs — staff estimated an average cost per round trip of about $72.

Michelle said veterans ride free within Adams County but are charged $1 per mile for out-of-county trips. She explained that the service uses a mix of federal funding (notably a $250,000 federal allocation requiring a local match) and local support and asked the commissioners to increase their annual contribution from $44,000 to $45,000 to help meet match requirements and maintain driver wages.

Commissioners discussed growing demand and driver recruitment. One commissioner noted federal increases had gone to employee wages; Michelle confirmed the extra federal money helped raise driver pay. The board moved and approved the increase to $45,000 so the change appears in the official budget record.

Leah also briefed the board on fundraising for a courtyard project at the senior center (about $52 of $95,000 raised so far) and a free senior information fair scheduled for Friday. Commissioners encouraged continued coordination with the veteran service officer and said staff should be kept informed of outreach and events.

The commissioners agreed to consider the agency’s funding request as part of next week’s budget/allocations discussion and to continue monitoring ridership and cost trends.