By Wayne Allen
Access Scioto County (ASC) opened its Wheelersburg Dial-A-Ride Service on Tuesday, aimed to provide better access to public transportation in the Wheelersburg area.
The service had seen some delays in opening. According to Larry Mullins, all of the hurtles have been cleared and the service is open and ready to public transportation needs of the area. Prior to the opening of the services ASC had a bus arriving and departing from the Wheelersburg area once an hour. With the implementation of this service, Mullins believes wait times could be decreased.
With the opening of the services ASC has also opened a second office, located at 8740 Ohio River Road, Wheelersburg.
Each ride would originate and terminate in the Wheelersburg area and prospective passengers would call a special number when they want a trip. The cost of the new service will be one dollar for a one way trip, per person that’s available on a first come, first serve basis. Those approved for ASC’s Elderly and Disabled Reduce Fare will ride for half price.
The new service would be operated like a taxi service from Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. yo 3 p.m. and will close from 11:30 a.m. to noon each day for lunch.
“In the past we have encountered problems were out passengers are done with their doctor appointments and they are waiting to be picked by the next bus arriving in Wheelersburg, however the doctor’s office is closer for lunch. This has caused tension on more than several occasions with our passengers and the doctor’s offices. Sometimes passengers are forced to wait outside until their bus picks up,” Mullins said. “The new service will help elevate this problem by picking the passenger up and taking them to our Wheelersburg office to wait for their bus from Portsmouth.”
To schedule a ride with the service call 740-876-4781.
Mullins estimates the service would cost $25,000 annually, including office space, utilities, supplies and etc. He said ASC has sufficient revenue to support the expansion. For more information about Access Scioto County and the services they offer visit www.asctransit.com, or find them on Facebook.
Wayne Allen can be reached at 740-353-3101, ext. 1933 or on Twitter @WayneallenPDT
