"Because of the way we are subsidized for operations," she said, "the general public can't ride at affordable rates."

Riders over age 65 are subsidized by state lottery proceeds, while other assistance agencies provide varying levels of financial aid to their clients.

Zerbe said there must be a practical way to integrate public transportation with services like hers to benefit both, but she knows there are limitations.

"To receive state funding for such a system, it would have to meet productivity and performance standards," Zerbe said. "There also must be a local commitment in the form of matching funds."

USTA has 30 vehicles in its fleet, Zerbe said, ranging from a four-passenger minivan to 20-passenger buses. On an average day, about 20 of those vehicles are on the road.

USTA's 2009 budget is $1.45 million, Zerbe said, and it expects to have about 92,000 passengers this year, up from 90,000 last year.

Ridership has changed over the years, Zerbe said. It used to be people going to the senior citizen centers five days a week, but it has evolved to more elderly and frail people going to doctor and hospital visits.

"They need more services," she said.

The other change involves mentally or physically challenged people using the transportation alliance to reach jobs at workshops around the region. Those people now make up about 60 percent of USTA's patrons.

Zerbe has worked closely with task force members in adjoining counties, so that her passengers are able to change vans at designated points to ride to appointments in Lewistown and Mount Carmel.

She also received authorization for USTA buses to travel directly to Geisinger Medical Center in Danville.

The other option for those who are unable or can't afford to drive is taxi service.

Carl Hovenstine, vice president of Paul's Cab Service in Sunbury, said he's noticed an increase in cash calls from people going to the grocery store, the mall and area hospitals.

Paul's has a contract with Northumberland County to transport foster grandparents to schools and day care centers and others to grocery stores and doctor appointments, he said.

"We carry in Sunbury, Selinsgrove, Northumberland and the townships around them," Hovenstine said. "Our business is pretty steady, day to day."