Gateway Services Offers Essential Transportation & Longstanding Fair Tradition
A popular concession at the Johnson County Fair is the Gateway Services fresh-squeezed lemonade stand. More than 10,000 lemons and 200 volunteers are needed to prep and run the stand, which benefits Gateway Services. But while patrons flock to the stand, many do not know the history behind the long-running attraction, which began in 1972.
Gateway Services Inc. is an advocacy and direct service provider to individuals with disabilities. Access Johnson County Public Transit was formed as a subsidiary of Gateway Services after United Way conducted a needs survey that identified public transportation as the number one need in the community. It became an umbrella under Gateway Services and is available through grants, governmental and community funding. Today, Access has a fleet of 24 vehicles, all wheelchair accessible, along with 30 drivers and six dispatchers on staff.
Becky Allen, transportation director, has been with the company for 33 years, starting as a driver before moving up the ladder to her current position. Allen describes herself as a third-generation transportation member. Her grandfather was engaged in the railroad industry while her father was a truck driver. She is immersed in the public transportation portion of infrastructure.
“I love what I do,” Allen says, and her passion for her occupation is evident. Allen says her employees are “family oriented,” and she tells her staff not to choose their work over their family. She believes that is the key to maintaining a staff of drivers who have remained on board for years.
“We can always find a substitute driver,” she says. Family comes first.”
She calls the retirees who drive “the peanut butter and jelly” of her staff. Two of those “peanut butter and jelly” retirees are Randy Bright and Marty Julian. Bright has been driving for Access for 12 years. He drives three days a week and says he likes helping people and enjoys talking to the passengers. Julian has been driving for three years now.
“I like driving for Access because I am meeting a larger cross section of people than I met while working in a factory,” Julian says. “I see the bravery of the handicap, the fierce determination of the seniors and the appreciation of those that need help to get around.”
Allen says the drivers have a wonderful camaraderie. They have a “Hall of Fame” bulletin board and compete in a statewide bus driving rodeo.
On any given day, up to 12 Access vehicles are roaming the county providing needed transportation to those in need. This is a shared-ride service with other passengers. Transportation is available Monday through Friday. Service is available on holidays except New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and the day after, and Christmas Day. Information brochures are available at bus stops and at the office located at 3500 N. Morton St. in Franklin.
There are different route types available through Access:
- US 31 Zip Connector: A weekday flexible fixed route with regular stops between Franklin, Whiteland, Greenwood and Indianapolis (transferring to IndyGo). Fares are $1, with $2 for deviations. Deviations are available for people who, because of a disability, are unable to get to a bus stop.
- Franklin Connector: A weekday flexible fixed route with regular stops at Franklin locations and regular locations between Greenwood, Whiteland and IndyGo. Fares are $1, with deviations $2.
- Greenwood Connector: A weekday flexible fixed route with stops at Greenwood locations and regular connections between Whiteland, Franklin and IndyGo. Fares are $1, with deviations $2.
- Demand Response: A countywide transportation service for all citizens in Johnson County. It is an origin-to-destination service. Fares are $4 in one zone, with $1 for each additional zone. Children under 5 ride free with an adult, and ages 5 and up are regular fare.
- County Connect: Helps central Indiana residents by providing transportation across county lines.
For additional information about scheduling, regulations, fares and tips for riders, visit gatewayarc.com or call 317-738-5523. Check out their Facebook page as well.
