Public transit system increases ridership

AUGUSTA – Kennebec Valley Transit has increased rider participation by people with disabilities in both Augusta and Waterville by more than 300 percent since 1999. General public ridership also has increased during this time period, proving there is a need for public transit in Maine.

KV Transit operates three access public buses and hourly bus service. KV Transit passengers can use the service to get errands done, keep medical appointments and commute to educational facilities and business parks. Buses make regular stops at elderly and low income housing communities and community service organizations, making it easy for those who may not have a car available to them to get where they need to on time.

KVCAP also operates a KV Van social service transportation. Last year, the van service provided over 180,000 rides to residents of Kennebec and Somerset counties alone. The program operates a fleet of 20 accessible vans in addition to using the services of almost 100 volunteer drivers who provide travel services using their own vehicles in return for a small mileage stipend. The Volunteer Corp. tallied more than three million miles collectively in 2001 while transporting KVCAP clients.

For more information about KVCAP’s services, contact Jim Wood at KV Transit at 859-1564.