Local And Regional Transit Meeting Highlights Need In Mahaska County
Diane Gawronski, Executive Director of Ottumwa Transit and 10-15 Transit speaks to a group of interested individuals Monday
Oskaloosa, Iowa – Those in need of a ride to a doctors appointment or the grocery store have depended upon many different groups to help them fill their needs. Once of those providers is attempting to make its presence known once again to the community.
From time to time, we have all seen those white buses with the blue strip that says ‘Transit’ along the side. Many may wonder who runs that service and, most importantly, who do they serve. More than likely, what you have seen are the 10-15 Regional Transit Agency buses.
The Ottumwa Transit and 10-15 Transit came under fire over a year ago when the State Auditor accused the transit authority of overstating ridership by as much as 50 percent, and allowing the use of facilities for personal uses such as oil changes and car washing of personal vehicles.
“I’m sure you’ve probably heard there was some problems with transit, some very serious problems,” Gawronski said, eluding to past accusations of wrong doing.
Since those turbulent times, 10-15 has worked with the Iowa Department of Transportation in fixing the problems. Now the two entities, along with the Federal Transit Authority, are once again in a good working relationship. Recently, the FTA sent a letter to the 10-15 Transit stating that their investigation has ended and they are not requiring the group to pay back fines. “They have not fully decided if they are going to pursue former employees,” said Gawronski.
As part of the changes, Diane Gawronski was named the Executive Director of Ottumwa Transit and 10-15 Transit. She, along with Operations Manager Dave Silvario, stopped by the United Way conference room to not only introduce themselves, but to field questions from interested parties and entities that either need rides or help coordinate rides in the community.
“Our main goal right now is to increase ridership and to make sure that the communities are getting every bit of service that’s available through us,” said Dave Silverio, Operations Manager for 10-15 Transit.
“It’s kind of a fact finding mission for us at this point, to see how we can be of further service,” Gawronski said of their visit to Oskaloosa.
One of the programs highlighted by Gawronski is TransitCares. This is when 10-15 Transit offers a transportation option to IowaCare members for $1.00.
The TransitCares was established by the Iowa Department of Transportation’s Office of Public Transit to provide a ride for IowaCare members to their medical appointments and pharmacy visits.
According to the Iowa Department of Human Services, “IowaCare is a health care program that provides limited services for people who are not otherwise eligible for Medicaid. The purpose of IowaCare is to provide some health care coverage to people who would otherwise have no coverage.” You can find more information on the programs at the their website HERE.
Robin Pfalzgraf asked Gawronski when the TransitCares would be available for those in Oskaloosa and Mahaska County. Gawronski said that starting in June, the office was capable of starting the service.
Pfalzraf said, “Good,” going on to say, “We have a huge amount of people in this community that need to get to Des Moines or Iowa City. We’re finding a bottleneck where we can’t keep up with them.”
Willie Van Weelden, representing the Agency on Aging, spoke of concerns about the doctors appointments and getting transportation home after their appointments were done because they, “followed the hours so close. Is there going to be any flexibility in that?”
Silverio said, “If we take them, we’ve got to get them back.”
“There’s been instances over the last few years where,” Van Weelden said, “They could get there, but then they had no way to get home because that bus wouldn’t come pick them up after a certain time.”
“We will come and pick you up, you just have to realize this is not a taxi service.” Gawronski told Van Weelden, who was looking for some clarification on a past issue.
Silverio added, “Any time that any of you are unhappy with the way things are going, please do not hesitate to call me.” saying that “I’ve been dealing with people a lot of years, and I understand that the upset person is upset for a reason and working together we can find out what that reason is.”
Gawronski also addressed the confusion over what the buses were, and how they could be utilized. “They saw a bus and they were not really sure what they knew about it, or how do they get on that bus,” saying on the confusion about how to contact the transit. Gowronski then handed out pamphlets to the group, having made several hundred of them so that the different entities could take them back to their respective groups to hand out to prospective riders. The hope of the process is to further educate potential riders about the transit and how to utilize the service.
According to the 10-15 Transit website, “10-15 Transit is a state and federally funded PUBLIC transportation system. Service is available to ANYONE needing transportation in Region 15 – Appanoose, Davis, Jefferson, Keokuk, Lee, Lucas, Mahaska, Monroe, Van Buren, Wapello and Wayne Counties. All services are open to the general public. Riders may use the bus for nearly any purpose: grocery shopping, medical and dental visits, congregate meals, going to work or school, or personal business.”
The fees according to their website range from $2.00 in town to $4.00 for a ride anywhere in the county. To learn more, call the Central Office at 800-227-6390.
“Hours of Service are 24 hours per day/7 days a week. Trips must be scheduled by at least the previous business day and are subject to availability of a driver and vehicle.”
Further discussion is planned, in the near future, with local groups that help to fill transportation needs in the community and the 10-15 Transit. This discussion will be to help solve those problems going forward of getting members of the community where they need to be, such as medical appointments and grocery shopping.
“We want to meet with you on a regular basis,” Gawronski said to the group who was there looking for answers to the large transportation issue in the community.
Other solutions have sprung up recently to help fill the gap that was present in the transportation availability in Oskaloosa. Shelly Dilly started a taxi service recently in Oskaloosa offering rides for $5.00 a stop. She can be reached at 641.676.4461
