Transit agency seeks additional funding to continue free veteran transport

FAIRFIELD – Southeast Iowa’s public transportation network known as 10-15 Transit is looking for new funding sources so it can continue to offer veterans free rides to their out-of-town appointments.

Jefferson County Supervisor Lee Dimmitt, who serves on the 10-15 Transit board, said that there is inaccurate information circulating about the transit agency and its ability to offer transportation to veterans. He wants veterans to know that, while it’s true that 10-15 Transit is seeking alternative funding sources, it has no plans to stop giving rides to veterans.

“We’re the only public entity in the state that provides free transportation for veterans,” Dimmitt said. “This last fiscal year, we spent $170,000 transporting veterans wherever they needed to go. State legislation passed in the last two years has severely restricted county incomes so we’re having to cut services rather than add services.”

Dimmitt said 10-15 Transit has formed a 501c3 nonprofit to accept donations for its veteran transportation program. It’s also starting a GoFundMe account, and it’s seeking grants to defray the cost of the service, too. He said the group is hopeful that they can convince the Veterans Affairs office to reimburse the agency for these rides. He’s spoken with State Senator Amy Sinclair and State Representative Helena Hayes about this issue, and they’re helping the agency find solutions.

10-15 Transit gets its name from the 10 counties that comprise it (Jefferson, Keokuk, Van Buren, Wapello, Mahaska, Davis, Wayne, Monroe, Lucas and Appanoose), which covers Iowa’s Region 15. All services are open to the general public. Call 641-683-2024 to schedule a ride, which costs $2 each way within city limits, $4 within the county, $25 from one county to another and $1.65 per mile for out of county rides. The agency has an agreement with Medicaid that the federal government will pay for the cost of rides for Medicaid patients going to the doctor. Dimmitt said the group also has contracts with Milestones Area Agency on Aging and First Resources.

When 10-15 Transit separated from the City of Ottumwa in 2011, it had 25-30 employees, and since then its workforce has tripled to about 100 employees. The agency also runs the fixed routes in Ottumwa since that city no longer has its own bus service.

Dimmitt said the county boards of supervisors in the region collectively decided several years ago to contribute $25,000 to add this service of giving free rides to veterans to their doctor’s appointments. He said the supervisors are still committed to that mission, but they need new funding sources to cover such a large expense.

“We’re trying to think outside the box,” Dimmitt said. “We don’t need the whole enchilada. Any amount will be used to sustain that program.”

10-15 Transit performs somewhere between 1,200 and 1,600 rides per month in Jefferson County alone.

“At any given moment, we’ll have half a dozen vehicles running around the county,” Dimmitt said. “We have several cars in town to provide rides for appointments, and we run 1-2 buses in town as well. We’re also looking for drivers in Jefferson County.”

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Call Andy Hallman at 641-575-0135 or email him at andy.hallman@southeastiowaunion.com