TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV)– Nearly a dozen community organizations gathered at the Vigo County Public Library to discuss potential gaps and barriers for residents in public transportation.

The Terre Haute Metropolitan Planning Organization hosted the meeting on Monday. Transportation planner Ryan Wickens said it was the first meeting they held in years due to the pandemic.

Still, he was eager to speak with residents about the issues they face in the community.

“Today, we’re just collecting information on some of the transportation problems that may occur in the community,” he said. “We’re pulling other agencies together to see if we can work up some ideas that may reduce transportation problems.”

Wickens said the feedback they receive will be given to local elected officials, as they work on the Coordinated Transit Human Service Transportation plan. Wickens said their main focus was working with at-risk populations. 

“We kind of work with other agencies to reduce barriers between low-income families, the disabled, the elderly,” he said. “We write policies that we then be taking to the elected officials, and they can kind of program funding.”

Wickens said they will hold a follow-up meeting in about three months discussing some of the feedback they received Monday.