By Gary Ogle
gogle@wbcowqel.com
There were nothing but smiles on the faces of local and state officials crowded into the offices of Seneca-Crawford Area Transportation in Bucyrus for a ribbon cutting on Thursday morning.
And with good reason. The long-standing issue of public transportation in Crawford County should no longer be a barrier for many with the opening of SCAT.
“Oh, this is going to be great for the county. They’re going to station buses in Bucyrus, but in Galion also,” said Doug Weisenauer, president of the Crawford County commissioners who were all in attendance at Thursday’s ribbon cutting. “So we have a good distribution of availability for dispatching buses. I think it’s going to be a good thing.”
The addition of SCAT into the Crawford County public transportation picture means there are no longer any limitations of services based on age or income. SCAT has been open and running in Crawford County since Jan. 3.
“No matter where you want to go, as long as you are a resident of Crawford County or coming into Crawford County we will try to provide that transportation,” said Mary Habig, executive director for SCAT. “There is no age limit or income-base. It’s just as long as you are a resident here we will take you where you want to go.”
SCAT is simply a phone call away for the public at large according to office manager Tamara Lynch.
“Someone will usually be in the office from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., but they can call anytime. We will return their call,” said Lynch.
SCAT transports will be made available Mondays through Fridays. Typically, the first pick-ups are at 5:30 a.m. with last drop-offs “around “5:45” p.m. as the vehicles must be back by 6 p.m.
The number for Crawford County residents to call is 419-617-7191. Although the 
office is in Bucyrus at 107 N. Poplar St., SCAT will have vehicles parked and ready for service in Galion. SCAT anticipates having 10 employees in Crawford County by the end of the year.
Fares for those using SCAT will depend on where the rider wants to go. The local SCAT services are being made possible with grant funds from the Rural Transit Program.
The Crawford County Council on Aging had been the provider for transportation in Crawford County. However, the demand for public transportation outgrew that agency’s resources. County commissioners and the Ohio Department of Transportation looked at options for better meeting the needs of county residents which resulted in SCAT getting the grant funds to provide a portion of service needs here.
Seneca-Crawford Area Transportation (SCAT) will assume responsibility for public transportation for the public at large, but the Council on Aging will continue to serve targeted populations.
Council on Aging will continue to provide transportation for seniors age 60 and older in 2017, as well as those with disabilities. The hours of service will be from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m., Mondays through Fridays.
Those 60 and older, as well as those with disabilities may still schedule a ride with the Council on Aging in 2017 by calling 419-562-3050 or 1-800-589-7853. Additional information can be found online at www.crawfordcountyaging.com.
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