Catherine Holl thinks a grant to lower the cost of public transportation for people with disabilities will make a big difference in the lives of those it hopes to serve.

"I think it's terrific," Ms. Holl, the president of the board of Mercer County Disabilities Coalition, said of Mercer County Community Transit being awarded $159,250 from PennDOT under the Rural Transportation Program for Persons With Disabilities.

"It's going to give a lot of people the opportunity to get out and do things," she said.

The grant will allow MCCT to start a shared-ride program for people with disabilities modeled after one it already runs for senior citizens.

The grant will pay for 85 percent of the cost of the ride, with the rider paying the remaining 15 percent.

Under the senior ride plan, Mercer County Area Agency on Aging pays for all but 50 cents of the ride.

An average ride on MCCT costs $11, said Transit Manager Bill Jones. A disabled rider enrolled in the program would pay $1.65 of that amount.

The affordability should attract riders that do not qualify for medical cards or other discounts.

Joe Gianoglio of Hermitage said he soured on MCCT when he found out how much it would cost to take him to the Shenango Valley Mall.

"They come right by my house to park (at the bus garage), but they'll charge me $13 to take me to the mall," Gianoglio, MCDC treasurer, said of the regular fare.

"I'm very excited about it," Cheryl O'Connell of Farrell said of the new program. "It will expand and open up new areas of the county not currently available for people with disabilities."

According to PennDOT, more than 1,800 people between the ages of 16 to 64 could be eligible for the discounted bus service.

Jones said it's too early to enroll riders for the program, but PennDOT hopes to get it running by February.

"I don't even known the ins and outs," said Jones, noting that he has not received official notification from the state. "They want to fast track this and get it going as fast as possible."

State Sen. Robert D. Robbins, R-50th District, Salem Township, announced the grant Friday.

About $100,000 of the grant will be used to buy two 14-passenger vans, Jones said.

Hours of operation have not been worked out, but Jones said he hopes to be able to accommodate people trying to get to work.

PennDOT initiated the program in 2001 and the first eight counties have found more than 50 percent of the trips to be work-related.

"We're going to have to see what is requested and be somewhat flexible to best meet the demands of the people," Jones said.

Ms. O'Connell, MCDC executive director, said she recently took two part-time jobs and a board of directors membership.

"The meetings will take me out of the valley," she said. "This will take a big worry -- transportation -- off my mind."

She added that, with Lawrence, Crawford, Beaver and Erie counties receiving the same grant, people with disabilities will be able to travel outside of Mercer County.

Ms. Holl, who rides MCCT to work, said she believes people will use the service to get to work and for other reasons, particularly in less-populous areas of the county.

"They're going to increase their recreational activities and it's going to make it easier to get to doctor's appointments," the Sharon woman said. "It's going to be beneficial for a lot of people."

A majority of the grant -- about $100,000 -- will be used to buy two 14-passenger vans, Jones said.

While the grant is good only until June 30, Jones said the state has traditionally maintained programs after initial grant periods.

"In the past, once you're funded, you'll be funded every year after that," he said.

You can e-mail Herald Staff Writer Joe Pinchot at

jpinchot@sharonherald.com