This year, the Porter County Aging & Community Services expanded its bus service for Porter County residents, resulting in a 44 percent increase in rides so far this year.

The PCACS provides door to door transportation for any Porter County resident, at a charge of $2 for each round-trip ride. Those who are disabled ride for free. Through June of this year, the PCACS provided 11,886 bus rides, more than half of which were provided at no charge for the disabled.

The PCACS can also provide subsidies to cover the cost for people who are low-income. “We are in the business of extending a helping hand to those most in need in our community in order to improve their quality of life,” said PCACS Executive Director Bruce Lindner.

The PCACS is seeking the public’s support for the bus service through the Neighborhood Assistance Tax Credit Program (NAP). Through NAP, any Indiana resident, business or organization who donates $100 or more to PCACS will receive a credit for 50 percent of that amount to be deducted from their Indiana income tax. They can also claim 100 percent of the donated amount as a federal income tax deduction.

The PCACS said that a donation of $200 will cover the cost to subsidize transportation for more than 100 seniors, providing rides to places such as doctor offices and grocery stores.

Checks should be made payable to PCACS with NAP written on the check and mailed to: PCACS, 1005 Campbell Street, Valparaiso, IN 46385. For more information, call Melissa Benefiel at 464-9736.

For more information about the PCACS and its door-to-door transportation service, see www.portercountyacs.org

To schedule a ride, call their transportation department at 462-4302.

Posted 7/14/2010