MOUNT VERNON — Thanks to a $200,000 ODOT grant, second- and third-shift workers at Mount Vernon’s industrial park will soon have a reliable transportation option.
Knox Area Transit will pilot a one-year program focused on after-hours transportation to or from the industrial park.
“We’re trying to cover the demand for second-shift workers, 7 p.m. to 3 a.m.,” Transit Director Bethany Celmar told the commissioners on Tuesday. “That’s when a lot of the demand is.
“It’s just been a big need that there’s been no solution for,” she added.
Riders can sign up for a subscription for consistent work schedules or call in as needed. Subscriptions are automatically scheduled based on the request.
Riders must schedule rides during KAT’s regular operating hours, 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. After-hours cancellations are only available through KAT’s app.
The goal is to offer the service free of charge. Rides must begin or end in the industrial park.
The $200,000 Ohio Department of Transportation grant has a $25,000 local match.
“We are looking for the local match through sponsorships,” Celmar said.
Celmar plans to talk with industrial park employers as well as other organizations and agencies about sponsorship.
“It’s a one-year pilot program,” she said. “If it’s not utilized, we won’t keep it around. But I have a feeling it will be.”
A night-time driver must be hired before the program can start.
Celmar said the service could be expanded to include the Fredericktown Industrial Park or other areas of the county if there is a demand and local sponsors are available to support the service.
