by Marty Trese, KnoxPages.com Managing Editor
MOUNT VERNON – The Knox County Commissioners heard an update this morning about Knox Area Transit (KAT). The public transportation agency, which is run by the Knox County Department of Job and Family Services, made over 31,000 trips in the second quarter of this year. So far in 2014, KAT has made over 63,000 trips. Matthew Kurtz of KCJFS says they have seen increases in ridership since the start of school and the start of rural routes in eastern Knox County last week.
Those routes, open to anyone, began as a result of discussions with members of the Amish community who approached KAT about the possibility. The routes are scheduled for Tuesdays and Thursday and riders are charged $4 each way. Kurtz reported there were 8 riders last Tuesday and 9 riders on Thursday. KAT also operates a Mount Vernon shuttle on four lines that anyone can ride for $1 per ride.
Kurtz, as well as KAT’s Martin McAvoy, recommended that a transit advisory committee be formed and that some of its membership be made up of community members who served previously on the MOTA board. KAT was previously known as Mid Ohio Transit Authority.
Preliminary discussions were held with the commissioners about the 2015 proposed KAT budget. Local funds could come from the county and from advertising placed on the 25 KAT vehicles.
For more information about public transportation on KAT, call 740-392-7433.
