The Current's New Director Mary E. Habig

               Mary Habig is an Ohio girl, through and through.  Ohio State Buckeyes memorabilia decorates her new office.   But she also loves her new home in Vermont.

“I live in Springfield” she said last week from The Currents Rte 5 headquarters.  “I was ready for something quieter.  I needed a change, although this area reminds me of my hometown in Southeastern Ohio, Monroe County.  It’s a small rural county much like this area”.

               Habig drove a school bus before taking a job in transportation administration 16 years ago.

              “Sadly, I found myself as a single mother of three and needed a job with benefits.  The transit directors’ position was vacant and the Monroe County Commissioners hired me.   I’m so thankful to the commissioners for giving me the opportunity to such a wonderful career.”   Her three children are now grown.  Paula is a Registered Nurse, married living in Ohio; on 09-09-09 she gave Mary her first grandchild, William.  Her son, Rick is a Police Officer in West Virginia and her youngest,  Therese is a Nursing Student in Louisiana.   Mary is proud her children have chosen careers in public services just like their mom.

              Asked whether more rural areas provide more challenges than more urban areas, Habig said yes.  “People who live in this area shouldn’t be penalized because they chose to live in a more rural area,” she said.  “There’s still a need for public transportation and we’re trying to get the message out that we’re here.  

“We provide the ride” that’s our motto.

              Habig said the largest group in need would probably be seniors and disabled.  “There are a lot of elderly folks that need a ride to Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, or wherever their doctor’s appointment may be.” She said.  We have people who need rides up to the veteran’s hospital in White River Junction…it’s a necessity, and we give people freedom to be able to do that”.

               The Current’s buses run Monday through Friday, traveling as far south as Brattleboro and -as far north as Rutland and White River Junction, with numerous pick up points in between.  Altogether there are 16 routes a day in operation.  They’re a non-profit organization.

              “We’re a free service, but we accept donations,” said Habig.  “We get federal and state funding.  One of our challenges is getting the federal government to realize just how large the demand is for public transportation”

              A “strong network” of 50-plus volunteer drivers are essential to The Current’s success, said Habig...

              We’d absolutely like to expand,” she added.  “In order to do that we might need to see an increase in demand, but right now it doesn’t look like that’ll be a problem the way fuel prices are going up”.

              The Current has its own onsite garage and two mechanics to assure the busses are always running in top shape.  They’re a “green facility".

              “This is by far one of the nicest, if not the nicest facility I’ve ever worked in,” acknowledged Habig.  “And we’ve got such a great team; they’re great to work with because they all genuinely care about their performance and their passengers.  And I just love the people around here, everyone’s so nice.  It’s refreshing.”

              For more info about The Current’s schedule and routes, please call (toll free) 888-869-6287, or 802-460-RIDE.  You can also log on to www.crtransit.org

Article from The Shopper by Kyle Jarvis