Federal Grant for County Connection Service Expiring
The one-time federal grant that provided funding for County Connection service is expiring in mid-February, 2012.
County Connection will no longer be in operation after February 19, 2012. This service was paid for by a one-time federal grant and matching state funds. County Connection was a pilot program originally scheduled to operate for 4 years. It has been operating for over 6 years now; however, the funding currently being used to cover the full cost of a trip will be depleted by February 19. Since the funding was a one-time appropriation, there are no more state or federal funds currently identified to operate the program.
The Rapid has worked cooperatively with local entities, such as ACSET and DHS, to be able to provide transportation throughout Kent County for individuals who are working or seeking employment as well as for members of the general public who needed either a onetime ride or who used County Connection on a more regular basis. The fares the passengers pay cover only a portion of the total trip cost. The federal and state grants were used to cover the rest of the total cost of the trip.
In the future, should a federal, state or local match (or combination) be identified that, in conjunction with passenger fares would cover the full cost of providing the trip, The Rapid would be willing and able to work with the entities involved in finding a way to provide a service similar to County Connection.
