SCAT's new name is North Central Area Transit

TIFFIN — The local public transportation organization formerly known as Seneca-Crawford Area Transportation – or SCAT – has changed its name to North Central Area Transit – or NCAT. The name change took effect Jan. 2 when NCAT began service in Huron County. "It's going well," said Executive Director Mary Habig. "It's got its little challenges, but nothing we can't resolve." She described this first week as "busy, but fun." The first steps have been to make sure the new office is in compliance with federal and state regulations. Habig said public transit ridership has increased slightly in the first few days of operation in Huron County. "Some had never ridden public transportation," she said. The new name and expansion was the result of an agreement with Huron County Commissioners and the Ohio Department of Transportation. The nonprofit organization will continue to offer services to Seneca and Crawford counties. In November, the former SCAT asked people to help choose a new name for the organization. About 200 people voted, and the board of directors made the new name – and new logo – official at its December meeting. Habig said the only change for Seneca County will be the name. Over the next few months, NCAT will use grant money from ODOT to cover the cost of the name change, including sign changes, new uniforms, new bus logs and similar changes. She said no local match is needed. "It's all new, but we're still SCAT if that makes sense," she said. The local transit program remains the same. Habig said she has been executive director of the local public transit system for almost 10 years. "To see the growth has been very rewarding," she said. "This team here at SCAT. It's just amazing." "We are excited to offer our services to Huron County and continue to provide safe, reliable transportation throughout north central Ohio," said board President Mary Hay. "We appreciate, and thank, all those who participated in the poll to help select a new name and look for this change. The final choice clearly represents the services we can provide to an even larger population in need of public transportation." "People across Seneca, Crawford and Huron counties will benefit from NCAT's expanded service," said Chuck Dyer of ODOT, which funds public transportation in the rural areas. "We're eager to see NCAT bring its outstanding level of service to Huron County." The change does not impact NCAT services in Seneca and Crawford counties or senior transportation in Huron County. NCAT's headquarters will remain at 3446 S. TR 151, Tiffin. On the horizon, Habig said NCAT hopes to get funding from ODOT to start bus service between Tiffin and Fostoria later this year or next year. "We have four vehicles on order," she said. In addition, NCAT will be receiving electric buses from a grant received early in 2023. She said there's a building renovation under construction in Fostoria with an EV hookup to allow charging of the new EV buses. Also, Habig said she's working on getting funding to hire an architect to design plans for the "green garage" that would be shared with Seneca County Opportunity Center. "I should know probably by February if we get an architect to fund such an interesting building," she said. The building would house NCAT and Opportunity Center buses and provide bus-washing stations, all within an environmentally-friendly building. "We keep moving forward," Habig said. "Life changes. We jump on board and go with the changes."