Thanks to a Department of Transportation grant, the Pike Area Transit System (PATS) now has ownership of its own headquarters.

“It’s an accomplishment we were looking to make since the beginning,” said PATS Director Dante Frazier.

It took a $143,000 grant to realize that accomplishment, and now the local transportation provider doesn’t have to worry about paying rent.

“That’s money we can keep in our budget,” Frazier said.

“It’s a blessing for the city of Troy, the city of Brundidge and the Pike County Commission.”

Those three governments make up the coalition that has been supporting PATS since its inception more than three years ago.

For Frazier, home-base ownership is just part of the development of PATS though.

“We’re growing,” he said. “We’re still trying to get the word out.”

And Frazier said he and his staff have been working to clear up some misconceptions about the mini busses that can be seen transporting residents throughout the area.

“Many people think it’s for only elderly use but it’s for everybody,” Frazier said.

PATS asks for a reasonable fee of $2-$4 each way for local trips, depending on the mileage, and a little bit of notice.

For rides within Pike County, PATS asks residents to a call one-day prior.

Additionally, PATS has recently been providing transport outside the county to areas like Montgomery, for people with out-of-town business such as doctor’s appointments.

The fare increases on those longer trips and Frazier said PATS prefers extra notice on them as well.

“For out of town trips we ask that you try to a call at least a week ahead of time,” he said.

Anyone wishing to utilize the services of PATS should call 674-2451 between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. with ample notice.

PATS currently has four busses, three 14-passenger and one 25-passenger. Three of those are wheelchair accessible.