Free transit, free medical care announced at meeting

LOGAN — At a meeting June 15 of the Hocking County Transportation Advisory Committee it was announced that Logan Public Transit will soon become free to ride.

"Big news for LPT — they are going completely fare-free starting July 1st," reported Ben Ziff, mobility coordinator for Hocking Athens Perry Community Action (HAPCAP).

Ziff explained that in 2025 HAPCAP was able to partner with AmeriHealth Caritas Ohio, a Medicaid managed care organization that serves residents of Athens County and the rest of the Southeast/Central region, "and they provided $150,000 for Athens Public Transit and Athens on Demand Transit to go completely fare-free. And they renewed it for another year to go until April of 2027."

When HAPCAP inquired about providing a similar grant to eliminate fares for LPT, Ziff said, the company asked how much money would be needed. "We're like, 'Probably 30 or 40,000.' And they're like, 'Great, no problem,'" he recalled.

Ziff said the free fares will last from July 2026 to July 2027, "and then we're hopeful they'll want to continue."

Ziff also announced an event offering free medical care, set to take place in Athens from July 31 to Aug. 2, at Heritage Hall, Ohio University, 191 W. Union St. The Guard Care event, offered through a partnership between the Ohio National Guard and local health departments, provides completely free health, dental, and vision services for all Ohio residents. There are no income restrictions, insurance requirements, or appointments needed.

The July 31 installation of the event runs from 6-8 p.m., and is reserved exclusively for individuals with developmental disabilities or mobility challenges

The event runs from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 1, and 8 a.m.-2 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 2. Both those days are open to the general public.

Ziff also provided an update on Ohio's GoBus intercity transit network, which in October 2025 announced it would be undergoing a major expansion. That expansion has now happened, and Ziff said for the most part it seems to be going smoothly.

"They cover pretty much the whole dang state now," he marveled. "They have essentially doubled in size. It is very, very impressive. And so far, it's going very well. There have not been too many major hiccups."

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