Athens County bus shelters and stops have been updated with new rider information, according to the Athens County Independent.
Seven shelters now carry system-wide maps. At 151 individual stops, signs identify which bus line serves the location, provide arrival times and include other details for riders.
The effort began as a way to improve transit education and resources for older county residents. It later widened to address information gaps affecting riders of every age. Athens Public Transit, HAPCAP Mobility and two health department programs — Age-Friendly Athens County and Creating Healthy Communities — worked together.
In 2025, the groups surveyed older adults, organized bus field trips and travel training for seniors, ran a focus group and assessed shelters, the report said. Meredith Erlewine, the CHC coordinator, said the organizations learned riders wanted more detail on schedules and stop locations, and that CHC funds paid for signage installed by HAPCAP Mobility.
CHC is an Ohio Department of Health program that funds 31 local health departments for policy, system and environmental changes intended to improve access to healthy food and active living. The report says transit can support activity because many riders walk or roll to stops. Questions can be directed to Erlewine or the health department.