By David Fenker
david@nmpaper.com
WABASH COUNTY, Ind. – When it files its budget this year, Wabash County Transit will be seeking a grant of nearly $48,000 for a new software suite.
Beverly Ferry, CEO of Living Well in Wabash County CoA, Inc., presented the details of the grant and purchase at the Monday, June 12, meeting of the Wabash County Board of Commissioners.
The organization is funded by grants through the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT), which use federal and state money to fund similar rural transportation programs throughout the state.
“This year, they’ve made some discretionary funds available for capital projects. They’ve made them available for cameras for the buses, and for scheduling software. We are applying, through this grant, not only for the operating [funds], but for the capital [funds], which would be for scheduling software,” Ferry said.
Wabash County Transit previously purchased scheduling software using a federal grant, but with changes in the program the organization would like switch to a new program. The total amount it will apply for is $47,790, of which Wabash County Transit must raise 20 percent.
“Even if we stuck with the same software, to move forward we would have to buy another platform for $20,000 just to update,” Ferry said.
“By switching, we can get a more user-friendly system. It is also one that will help us with productivity… it is a simpler, yet more accommodating software.”
Ferry said that the organization will be requesting $244,906 from the federal government, and $111,493 through INDOT’s Public Mass Transit Funds (PMTF).
In response to a request from Ferry, the commissioners passed Resolution 2017-85-03 giving Living Well in Wabash County CoA, Inc., permission to file for the necessary grants to continue operating and for the capital funds request.
Additionally, Ferry said that Wabash County Transit is looking into changing to a point deviated route system, in which buses will run routes with several stops through the City of Wabash. The buses will deviate from these routes within a limited distance to pick up passengers who cannot make it to the bus stops.
The proposed plan is based off of a 2016 study that showed users 59 and under had a strong interest in such a system.
The proposed system will also allow for lower bus fares.
“Part of the study was, have the rider fares become a barrier to service,” Ferry said.
“We already knew that. Ever since we went from $1 and $2 fees to $2 and $4, that outpriced some people.”
According to a handout Ferry provided, Wabash County Transit’s current system of demand response service and standing rides will continue in areas far away from the bus stops.
The new software will be a factor in whether the proposed point deviated route system will work.
“You’ve got to have all that information together on one screen… currently, you can only see one vehicle at a time on the screen. You have to switch screens, and it takes time to reboot it. So, we need to update and make it an easier, more comprehensive system,” Ferry said.
She noted that the organization is still in the planning stage for the new system, and that they will have public hearings regarding the proposed changes once they get closer to being ready to switch.
“My goal would be that a year from now, we can be sitting here talking about how the first month went,” Ferry said, noting that there are still several steps before they get to that point.
Additional news from the commissioner’s meeting included a partial jail report from Sheriff Bob Land.
“I have 86 in our facility, 45 in Miami County, nine in Elkhart County and five in Wells County for a total of 145,” Land said.
He also requested and was granted permission to hire James Austin as the department’s attorney following the passing of its previous attorney, Howard Williams, last February.