Dale Thornton, president and CEO of Mercy Hospital of Tiffin hands over the keys of the Mercy Express Van to Linda Good, executive director of Seneca County Agency Transportation. Mercy Express Van services have been transferred to SCAT. (Photo courtesy of Mercy Hospital of Tiffin)

Mercy Express Van services began in 1995 and the newest vehicle was purchased in 2006 with money raised from a Mercy Tiffin Health Foundation Winter Wonderland Gala fundraiser. The Mercy Express has provided safe, reliable transportation services to the hospital and physician offices for local residents for the past 14 years.

“We truly appreciate the supporters of Mercy Tiffin Hospital and the Mercy Tiffin Health Foundation who contributed to our fundraising efforts to purchase the Mercy Express Van,” Mr. Thornton said. “We are pleased that this same quality of service will continue through SCAT.”

SCAT was started in 1994 as a volunteer service. In the past 15 years, it has grown to employ 30 staff and in 2008 provided 64,151 trips, an 18 percent increase over the prior year. The agency became a public transportation provider in 2001.

SCAT has 20 vehicles in service and is supported through the Tiffin-Seneca United Way, Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) grant funding and a minimal pay-per-ride fee.  Those who are elderly or disabled may apply for grants that cut the pay-per-ride fees in half. Rural transportation accounts for 97 percent of rides while three percent are for those with travel needs to church, weddings and funerals.

SCAT’s mission is to serve the residents of Seneca County and metro Fostoria by providing a safe, reliable, affordable, accessible and efficient public transportation system.

“Mercy Tiffin Hospital and SCAT Transportation have always had a great working relationship,” Ms. Good said. “This is a wonderful way to enhance our ability to operate more efficiently and cost-effectively and best utilizes our communities’ limited transportation resources.”