MOUNT VERNON — Local public transportation companies such as Mid-Ohio Transit Authority help make travel within Knox County easier and more convenient for citizens. With the rise in gas prices, some people are taking advantage of public transportation to save on gas, as well as time.

“It has been fairly steady,” said Pam Hinkens, MOTA administrator. “I wouldn’t say we had a great deal of increase in ridership, but maybe a slight.”

Last year about 130,000 riders used MOTA; this year Hinkens said the amount is expected to rise.

Servicing the Knox County area, MOTA has 25 buses and regular demand response service, as well as 43 drivers. MOTA has taken the fluctuation in the price of gas into account when creating its budget.

“We have kind of projected what gas in Mount Vernon would be for the upcoming year. Actually, we are over slightly, but not a lot, from what we have projected it to be at this time,” said Hinkens.

Hinkens said MOTA has not raised its price to customers.

Hinkens said the rates are fixed for the shuttles; which of the four zones a customer travels determines the cost for the regular transportation. For example, she explained, if one travels to the outer areas of the county, which is consider Zone 4, it is the most expensive.

MOTA has not changed its routes or its coverage area with the increase in fuel prices.

“We service all of Knox County,” said Hinkens. “We don’t go outside of the Knox County line, so therefore really nothing has changed.”

Even though the shuttle services the Mount Vernon area, Hinkens said different parts of the county can be reached by the regular reponse service.

Shuttles can service the handicapped with wheelchair accessibility; the regular response service provides for those not able to reach a designated pick-up location. The red, orange, blue and green lines pick up riders every 30 minutes.

“We really have a variety. We do have young adults, senior population, and we do have a mix,” said Hinkens.

The most popular routes have been to the shopping centers and grocery stores, she said, but the routes also extend into some neighborhoods and other areas of Mount Vernon.

“For as far as our shuttle line goes, the heaviest shuttle line is the Coschoton Avenue,” she said.

MOTA begins operation at 5 a.m; the shuttle service it does not begin until 8 a.m. The last round starts at 4 p.m., and the total operation closes at 8 p.m.