BATAVIA — The county plans to continue using Regional Transit Service (RTS) if the Legislature approves a contract renewal for next year. The amount the county pays RTS would not change for 2023.
The Genesee County Human Services Committee voted Monday in support of continuing the contract with RTS from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, 2023. The services include Office for the Aging medical and county rural transportation services within the county to expand public transportation service for both older adults and rural Genesee County residents.
The combined cost for medical transportation for the elderly and rural transportation program would be $57,301. The rural transportation cost is $28,723, paid for through the county’s general fund; OFA medical transport is $28,308, paid through New York State Community Services for the Elderly Program grant funds.
County Office for the Aging Director Diana Fox said the rate RTS charged the OFA did not change this year, which she said was a shock.
“It went up a little bit last year and I wouldn’t be surprised if it goes up next year, but this year, we’re holding,” she said. The rate didn’t go up very much last year, Fox said.
Committee member Gordon Dibble asked what qualifications residents have to meet to use the Rural Transportation service. Fox said those 60 or older get to ride for half-price, or 50 cents. The regular price for a ride is $1.
“In terms of utilizing the service, the route goes throughout Batavia. There’s a 211 bus service that runs a regular route. You can also call for ‘on-demand’ for, I believe, it’s $3 per trip, going out into different places. You’re going to compete with other people who also need transportation, say, to get to the job or something like that.”
On Tuesday, Fox said the number of OFA clients taking RTS buses due to medical needs such as getting to an appointment was as follows: 41 passengers in March, 39 in April, 22 in August, 20 in September and 30 in October.
“It’s really varied. We get reports. It certainly went down during the height of the pandemic. It really depends on the month,” she said of the number of medical transportation clients.
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