Mercer Co. transit agency seeks more Shared Ride funds
HERMITAGE, Pa. -- Mercer County Community Transit is asking the state for about a 25 percent increase in the subsidy it provides for the local Shared Ride program.
Bill Jones, transit manager, said the Bureau of Public Transportation of the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation is providing $475,000 a year now to subsidize the countywide ride program.
The Mercer County Regional Council of Governments, which runs MCCT, is asking the state to boost that to $600,000 a year, he said.
Expenses rise: "We're losing money," Jones said, noting that rising fuel costs, increased insurance costs and maintenance expenses for MCCT's 25 vehicles have eaten up the operating budget.
The service provides 87,000 rides a year on demand, he said.
Riders call the MCCT office to arrange for transportation to shopping centers, doctors' offices or other locations, and it is a door-to-door service.
It costs MCCT $9 for the average ride, but riders don't pay nearly that much.
Flexible scale: There is a flexible rate scale, Jones said, noting that most riders are senior citizens who are charged only 50 cents for the service. There are also provisions for medical-assistance riders who pay nothing, while others might pay as much as $1 for a ride, he said.
The state subsidy money comes from the Pennsylvania Lottery fund, and Jones said he hopes for a quick response to the request for increased assistance.