Public Transportation to Expand in Athens County
Athens Public Transit (APT), a program of Hocking Athens Perry Community Action Program (HAPCAP), will pilot a new bus route providing reliable transportation for vulnerable populations in Nelsonville and surrounding areas, with support from the Osteopathic Heritage Foundation of Nelsonville (the Foundation).
In southeastern Ohio, lack of transportation remains a significant barrier to critical services. APT plays an essential role in addressing these barriers and identifying solutions, by analyzing county transportation data, census data and social service agency surveys, along with convening community meetings to discuss pressing needs.
Through these measures, expanding APT by adding a new, fixed bus route connecting Nelsonville to Athens, Albany and other stops within the APT system, was identified as a regional priority. The new service will provide discounted fares to seniors and individuals with disabilities and improve access to employment opportunities, medical and behavioral health services and educational opportunities at Hocking College.
The Foundation has been a long-term partner of HAPCAP's expansion of transportation in southeastern Ohio, providing more than $172,000 in funding, including a recent award of $30,000 in support of the new Nelsonville bus line. It is anticipated two buses will serve Nelsonville on an hourly basis, Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. APT expects the new Nelsonville bus route will transport 10,000 riders annually.