Gas prices have LaGrange County agency turning to fuel sponsors

by Ed Ernstes (ernstes@wsbt.com)

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LaGrange County Council on Aging and LaGrange County Area Transit

The LaGrange County Council on Aging is seeking sponsorships to subsidize fuel costs for the transportation service it runs — the LaGrange County Area Transit — which has seen a tremendous increase in ridership. (WSBT photo)

By Beth Boehne

Story Created: Aug 14, 2008 at 3:44 PM EST

Story Updated: Aug 18, 2008 at 5:42 PM EST

LAGRANGE — Agencies that provide public transportation are feeling the pinch of gas prices. But one agency in LaGrange County has come up with a creative way to offset the costs, and handle more passengers.

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Since the first of the year, LaGrange County Area Transit has provided public transportation. It is run by the local Council on Aging, and many of its passengers are seniors.

“We have shut-ins that don't have transportation and they're going to need the van because they have doctor appointments, and all that sort of stuff,” explained Bill Booth, who uses the transit service.

Ridership has gone up because of current economic conditions.

"For example, last year in 2007 we transported 1,340 clients. We've already done that during the first seven months of this calendar year,” said Bill Cunningham with the COA.

The increase means more trips, more man hours, and higher payroll costs. At the same time, fuel costs have nearly tripled.

"In the month of January our fuel cost was $1200; this last month it was $3,000,” Cunningham said.

The agency has come up with a way to offset their gas costs — fuel sponsorships with local businesses and agencies.

“To see if they would be willing to sponsor one of our vehicles for a month by making a donation to help us purchase gas,” Cunningham explained.

He says he sees the need and demand for this service only increasing as more baby boomers in the county head to their retirement years.

“As time goes on we would like to give consideration to expanding our hours of service," he added.

The fuel sponsorship program started Thursday. Right now, Lake City Bank is the only sponsor. To expand the service, the agency will need more sponsors.

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