WATERVILLE -- Public transportation often serves as a safety net for people who cannot afford gasoline because of soaring costs.

While Waterville does not have public transportation per se, inexpensive rides are available to the general public via the Kennebec Valley Community Action Program transit van.

Similar KVCAP services are available in the Skowhegan and Augusta areas.

As part of the fixed-route program, people may take a one-way ride in Waterville for $1, for instance, or pay $1.25 to go to Fairfield. Children ages 6-12 ride for 50 cents; children under 6 ride free and must be accompanied by an adult.

"Our ridership has been increasing pretty steadily over the last couple of years, coinciding with the rising cost of fuel," says Jim Wood, transportation director for KVCAP. "We do think it's been quite an asset to a lot of people."

The 12-seat van picks up riders and drops them off at shopping centers, medical and educational facilities, business parks, elderly and low-income housing projects and other places.

KVCAP also has a separate social services transportation program that offers free rides to people who are eligible under specific guidelines. People with low incomes or those who are disabled or elderly are driven door-to-door for medical and other appointments. Those wanting to apply for the program, which includes a van or private vehicles driven by volunteers, may call 1-(800) 542-8227.

Both the transit and social services programs are extremely valuable to those who do not or cannot drive, said Linda Fossa, health and welfare director for the city of Waterville.

Fossa works closely with KVCAP and gives information about transportation services to people who come to her office at City Hall. Some people use the public transit van service to look for jobs, she said.

"It's a wonderful program, and with the price of gas, a wonderful resource for the community," Fossa said.

She said the KVCAP transit van schedule is posted in her office.

The van operates from 8:20 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, except on holidays. After-school routes include the Alfond Youth Center on North Street.

Generally, there are two van routes: one that goes to the area of Kennedy Memorial Drive, including to Seton Village; the Muskie Center and Durbin Apartments, off Silver Street; Inland Hospital; Shaw's Plaza; JFK Mall; and Marden's Surplus & Salvage.

The other route goes to the North End of the city, including to Elm Plaza; Waterville Commons; Thayer Unit, MaineGeneral Medical Center; and Elm Towers on Elm Street. That van also goes to Island Avenue Apartments in Fairfield; to Main Street; Kennebec Valley Community College; and Maine Dartmouth Family Practice in that town.

People pay cash when they board the van, Wood said.

He said KVCAP currently is considering whether to collaborate with other organizations to increase the number of vans in operation.

The van service is funded by federal, state and local money, Wood said.

Amy Calder -- 861-9247

acalder@centralmaine.com