By Sunday, May 6, Access Brown County supporters are hoping to have $10,000 in their hands.
Through a matching grant, that $10,000 can turn into $20,000, and help sustain the bus service which helps thousands of local people get to work, doctor’s appointments and other errands inside and outside the county.
On Sunday, May 6, Access advocates are asking area churches to participate in the fund drive by placing envelopes in their programs.
However, anyone can make a donation at any time in person or by mail to the Brown County YMCA, where the Access dispatch office is, said Y Executive Director Kim Robinson. She also handles the day-to-day administration for Access.
The Nashville Town Council declared May 6 Access Brown County Day in order to raise awareness of the fundraising need.
Access Brown County started operating in 2009 after local people worked for eight years to fill this gap in local services. In 2004, it was identified as the second-biggest need in Brown County in the Community Wide Needs Assessment.
Demand for the service has only increased. Access took on 2,892 riders in 2014; in 2017, the total for the year was 10,770.
Getting to and from work is the second-most popular reason riders take the Access bus, behind undefined “other” uses.
Senior citizens use the service the most. They accounted for 4,203 riders in 2017.
Access’ annual budget is about $75,000, Robinson said. The biggest expense is staff, which runs close to $50,000, she said.
In addition to the matching grant from the Indiana Department of Transportation, funding comes from donations, county government and passenger fares.
The county commissioners give Access $15,000 each year, as well as a $6,000 allowance for fuel, Robinson said.
The smallest portion of funding comes from fares. Passengers age 60 or older can ride for free. For other riders, the fee is $5 one way in-county or $7.50 one way out-of-county.
While it’s good that Access is serving an increasing number of people, that also puts a strain on the service’s budget, the appeal letter reads.
In past years, other groups also have kicked in major gifts, including a $9,000 grant in 2015 from the Fabulous 50 Women’s Circle of Care.
Brown County Transit Community member Bob Kirlin said he hopes that Access Brown County Day will raise awareness of how important the service is to seniors.
“Our target is to raise between $5,000 and $10,000,” he said. “It’s all matched by INDOT, so if we get $5,000, that’s a $10,000 deal.”
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HOW TO HELP
Mail or bring a check payable to Access Brown County to the Brown County YMCA, 105 Willow St., Nashville, IN 47448.
HOW TO RIDE
The Access Brown County bus operates between 6 a.m. and 4 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. Any Brown County resident may request a ride, 24 hours in advance. Children under age 5 must ride with an adult; older children may ride alone with a parental consent form.
Call the Access dispatch center at 812-988-1085 and have the following information ready:
- name
- address
- telephone number
- date of birth
- number of passengers being picked up
- time of appointment
- name and address of destination
- estimated finish time
- whether or not you use a mobility device, and dimensions of wheelchair if used.
Dispatch hours are 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. An answering machine will take requests after office hours.
Fares are $5 one way in county, $7.50 one way out-of-county, free for seniors 60 and older. Donations are accepted.
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