February 4 , 2021 The Beacon • 13

By Jen Jones

Along with its anniversary , Coshocton County Coordinated Transportation Agency also will celebrate Ohio Loves Transit Week Feb . 7-14 . The agency will do several things to celebrate both events including giving away Swag Bags with lots of items to anyone who rides the week of Feb . 7 . Local celebrities also may ride the shuttles .

According to Valerie Shaw , director of the CCCTA , the agency is Coshocton County ’ s public transit system . “ We are committed to ensuring Coshocton residents get where they need and want to go , whether it be healthcare , employment , shopping , visitation or recreational purposes . Our main goal is to provide safe , reliable transportation to each and every passenger .”

CCCTA offers transportation around Ohio and operates Monday through Friday from 5:30 a . m . to 6:30 p . m .

“ We partner with

many local agencies to secure funding sources for passengers , which often requires no money out of the individual ’ s pocket ,” Shaw said .

The rate for riders who do not qualify for any funding is $ 4 for the general public within the city limits ( includes Walmart ) for a one-way trip . For rides to jobs and school , the rate is $ 2 within the city limits . The agency has half-price rates for elderly and disabled .

To receive the elderly or disabled rate , riders must fill out an application and show proof of age or disability . The rate for Coshocton County is $ 8 per one-way ticket for the general public . The rate for out-of-county trips is based on mileage , and Shaw encourages people to call the agency for rates .

“ We currently have a fleet of nine wheelchair-accessible vehicles including seven larger shuttles and two modified minivans . We also have two independent drivers who we contract

Submitted

Along with its anniversary , Coshocton County Coordinated Transportation Agency also will celebrate Ohio Loves Transit Week Feb . 7-14 .

with to drive their own minivans . Additionally , we partner with the local veterans ’ service commission to provide transportation for veterans to VA appointments . Their volunteer driver transports clients in the locally owned DAV van ,” Shaw said .

The first ODOT grant application was awarded in 2001 for coordinated transportation . In 2007 the first wheelchair lift vehicle was purchased . Before that purchase ,

CCCTA partnered with Residential Housing for Developmentally Disabled to provide all transportation for those who used wheelchairs .

“ In 2008 CCCTA collaborated with the Coshocton County Board of DD to provide drivers for five shuttles that transported adult clients to Hopewell Industries , and in 2013 we became a Medicaid provider ,” Shaw said .

In January 2020 , CCCTA was awarded an ODOT grant that allowed the agency to become a public transportation agency .

“ This means that CCCTA vehicles are now open to any and all passengers , regardless of income , age or any other demographic . In years past we often saw many people who fell through the cracks , so to speak ,” Shaw said . “ Those who did not qualify for local social service agency funding only had the option to private pay if they needed transportation . This was a costly , per mile rate , which most people could not afford . Now , because CCCTA is a public transit , we can take anyone anywhere within Ohio for a much lesser cost to them .”

Rides can be scheduled by calling 740-622-7139 between 10 a . m . and 2 p . m . Monday through Friday . The agency does need a minimum of 48 business hours advance notice for any scheduled trip . Transportation is available with less notice but is subject to availability .

“ I would like to thank Coshocton County for all of the continued support for CCCTA . We would not be able to do what we do on a daily basis without the help and partnerships of so many local agencies who believe in and support CCCTA . I also want to thank the citizens of our great community for utilizing our services and supporting our mission . If you ever find yourself needing transportation , please remember to go the CCCTA way ,” Shaw said .