Todd Jennings, Section 5311 Program Manger at the Indiana Department of Transportation was present at the most recent Fayette County Board of Commissioners meeting to explain some upcoming changes one may notice in public transit.
Jennings said this is a major project in the state, and will be seen statewide. First, Jennings explained that when he references Section 5311 he is referring to rural transit funds, which are provided to the Fayette County Public Transit Service from INDOT.
The project would see the Fayette Community Council on Aging, Union County Council on Aging an each counties Public Transit Systems and consolidate them all in an effort to regionalize the services.
The Union County system also currently serves rural Wayne County as well.
Jennings said the ultimate goal is to have every county in the state covered by some form of public transportation system through this regionalization. Jennings said that some counties have limited funds available and can not offer transit services. This creates some of the service gaps that exist.
“This is something we should all be very excited about and it is going to improve public transportation, not only within this service area, but throughout the state,” Jennings said. “It’s something that is going to greatly improve and provide additional transit opportunities for so many passengers right now that are going unserved in our state.”
Jennings said that Fayette and Union County Transit Systems use the same technology for scheduling so they may be able to seamlessly integrate that piece together.
Jennings said this regionalization project was meant to be implemented in 2020, but were delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Now though, sufficient funding is available and the project is ready to roll again.
Jennings also presented a rough draft of what regionalization may look like eventually as more systems are consolidated. Fayette County’s proposed future region encompasses Fayette, Wayne, Union, Rush, Franklin and Shelby County. Jennings said this could take until 2030 to 2035 before all of the consolidation is finished. On it’s current timeframe there will not be any major changes until at least the end of next year.
Commissioner Dale Munson asked how many people may lose their jobs as a result of this consolidation. Jennings said that he could not give an exact number at this time.
“That’s the million dollar question Dale,” Jennings said. “We look at keeping agencies whole, but in reality we’re not so naive to think that when it comes to restructuring, looking at service changes, consolidation, the reality of the situation is that could be a possibility. Our goal is to have agencies remain whole. Ultimately to be honest with you, instead of losing jobs, if we meet our goal and our purpose through this we’re not going to be losing jobs, we’re going to be adding jobs. We’re going to need more drivers, more dispatchers, so as far as downsizing staff, that’s the opposite of what we perceive is going to happen.”
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