The first riders under a new public transit for disabled people could board the bus as early as this week.

More than 150 applications have come in and Dwayne Gavins, project manager for the Rural Transportation Program for Persons With Disabilities, will send approval letters to qualified riders soon, said Bill Jones, transit manager for Mercer County Community Transit.

People with a permanent or temporary physical or mental disability could potentially qualify for transit service.

The application process has not been easy. Transit has had to make sure potential riders do not qualify for fare discounts under other programs, including the Medical Assistance Transportation Program or the Shenango Valley Shuttle Service's Americans With Disabilities Act program. Applicants who receive service from another agency also will not be eligible.

However, a rider could have a mix of eligibilities, Jones said. A disabled rider who uses the medical assistance program for a trip to a doctor's office could use the disabilities program for a trip to a store.