Now limited to seniors and those with disabilities, program plans move into public transportation
The Union County Area Transportation Services (UCATS) may be transitioning to a public transportation service.
This week, UCATS officials presented a business plan for the transition to bring a public transportation option to the county.
“UCATS will provide on demand curb-to-curb service for all residents of Union County,” according to the business plan. “Either pick-up or drop off for a ride must occur in Union County.”
Due to partial funding by federal grants, the program currently serves senior citizens and individuals with disabilities, transporting them to medical appointments, personal errands and work.
According to the new plan, “all Union County residents, commuters, visitors etc. will be eligible for the transportation service.”
Sue Ware, director of Union County Human Services, which operates UCATS, said there is a future possibility to create a loop or scheduled route. She said there is a possibility of working with Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) to create an exchange site so riders can use a COTA bus to get to and from Union County and a UCATS vehicle inside the county.
“I am very much in support of this,” said Union County Commissioner Chris Schmenk.
She said a public transportation option is much needed in the county to help residents who do not have a driver’s license or vehicle or who cannot afford to drive often.
She called the move, “a first step the county is taking to provide more transportation options.”
“I see this as a natural progression— as our county grows, our county transportation needs grow.”
Officials said that allowing the public to also schedule rides will not impact the current services offered to seniors and disabled adults.
“Services will continue to be provided to current UCATS customers,” according to the business plan.
Ware said that senior services and the Department of Human Services typically schedule runs weeks in advance.
She said public rides will only be offered if there is not a ride already scheduled. She added that UCATS will not bump a public rider for a senior or disabled adult.
The business plan offers a “possible fee structure” of $2 for routes inside the Marysville city limits and $4 outside of Marysville limits with pricing for potential out-of-county trips to be determined.
The public transportation option will be available from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday. Pick up or drop off must be in Union County. Officials said they would like transportation requests to be made at least two business days in advance but same day scheduling will be allowed based on availability.
Chelcie Beadnell, mobility manager for the Union County Health Department, said that a variety of community surveys and needs assessments have indicated the need for public transportation or at least additional transportation options in the community.
“It is very limited,” Beadnell said of the current transportation options other than a personal vehicle.
Last year, officials hired a consultant to study existing community and mobility conditions to better understand the county’s need.
“The study concluded that a public transit system was needed in Union County,” according to the business plan.
In response, Beadnell applied for and was awarded ODOT funding for a public transportation system as well the transition. The Union County Commissioners are expected to move to accept $155,809 from ODOT. When they accept that funding it will trigger another equal grant from the federal government through ODOT.
Currently, UCATS provides what it terms “specialized transportation” for elderly and disabled clients. Officials said non-emergency medical transportation and transportation for seniors make up a majority of the trips. UCATS has two contracts, one with the Department of Job and Family Services and another with Union County Senior Services, that pay for these services. Additionally, the county receives state funding designated for this type of transportation to help fund services.
Beadnell said the state funding currently received will not pay for a public transportation system, but said there is a similar mechanism the county could now access. She said that grant does require a 50% local match, but the more money that can be posted, the more money the county can apply for.
Ware said the money UCATS receives from its contracts can be used for most, if not all, of the local match.
“Additional contracts, paid advertisement and assistance from the Commissioners’ Office may be needed,” according to the business plan.
Officials said there is potential funding available from the state to help make capital purchases such as additional vehicles.
Todd Barstow, with ODOT, told the commissioners funds must be applied for each year, but said that once a county is approved for funding it is “very, very rare” it does not receive future approval.
He explained that for this first year, ODOT will fund the local match to help the program get started.
According to the business plan, “future growth of the program will be dictated by need and financial support.”
The county will assess need by examining potential contracts that cannot be fulfilled, trip requests that are denied and other information.
Officials have said they will need to create a Public Transit Authority for Union County, create a transportation director position and hire a fiscal officer.
Officials did not give a specific timeline on when the transition could begin if approved by the commissioners.
The commissioners are expected to discuss and vote on the funding and the business plan at Wednesday’s meeting.