As Pike ages, county transport gets more use

David Hulse
Posted 8/21/12

MILFORD, PA — More people are using Pike County’s transportation system.

Reporting to the county commissioners last week, transportation director Christine Obser said ridership in the past …

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As Pike ages, county transport gets more use

Posted

MILFORD, PA — More people are using Pike County’s transportation system.

Reporting to the county commissioners last week, transportation director Christine Obser said ridership in the past fiscal year (through June 30) is up.

Obser said transportation vehicles made 27,588 trips in the recent fiscal year, up 1,800 trips from the prior year, logging 418,000 miles.

Commissioners Chair Rich Caridi said the county’s population is aging, and with promotion of the service, seniors are “finally taking advantage and saving gas.”

The U.S. Census estimate confirms the county’s aging population. The census estimates the median age of Pike’s 57,437 citizens now at 43.8 years, up from 39.6 in 2000, when the county’s population was 46,302.

The percentage of seniors over 65 has also increased from 15.2% in 2000 to an estimated 16.6% currently.

Commissioner Matt Osterberg said the program has become more economically feasible with the conversion of the transportation fleet from gasoline to compressed natural gas fuel. “Going from $3.50 to $2 a gallon is serious savings.”

About Pike transportation

County transportation is funded by a combination of county funds and money from the PA Lottery, the PennDOT medical assistance transportation program and the PA Department of Aging.

The county provides three transportation programs on weekdays available by appointment. They include a general public (GP) shared ride program, which provides discounted service for seniors (65 plus); medical assistance transportation providing access to medical and pharmacy services; and people with disabilities (PwD) service for people 18 to 64 years of age.

Fares are scheduled by zones, which are determined by the distance of the trip and the number of stops. GP fares range from $15 to $44, 65-plus fares range from $1 to $4, and Pwd fares range from $2.25 to $6.60.

For more information, call 570-296-3408, or 866-681-4947, toll-free.

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