Mary Alice Reporting – Rural road travel is a major topic and four local counties are joining forces for a pilot program.
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine made the announcement to make transit easier and more efficient in Coshocton, Guernsey, Muskingum, and Tuscarawas counties as $2.8 million is going for the creation of Mobility Ohio, which is part of the Federal Transit Administration’s Innovative Coordinated Access and Mobility program.
In Ohio, 14 state agencies spend at least $500 million annually to provide transportation services funded by 130 federal programs at 12 federal agencies. All 88 counties are responsible for administering funds at the local level.
Mobility Ohio will allow agencies to combine trips and ensure they are paid by the right funding source.
“No one should have to reach out to several different agencies just to schedule a trip to the doctor’s office, grocery store, or work,” said Governor DeWine. “Mobility Ohio will coordinate trips with 40 transit providers to create a safe and reliable resource for transportation.”
Following a successful pilot, the Mobility Ohio Committee plans to deploy the program statewide.
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