Public transportation in Natchez will soon be getting a boost from the state.

Despite funding woes, the Mississippi Department of Transportation recently awarded Natchez Transit a $460,000 grant — a $93,000 increase over last year.

Sabrena Bartley, Natchez Senior Citizen Multi-Purpose Center executive director, said Natchez Transit plans to use the money to hire an additional driver and hopefully secure a new vehicle to replace older model buses. Natchez Transit currently employs 17 drivers.

&uot;(The grant) will help us provide an increase in service,&uot; Bartley said.

Bartley said the MDOT public transit grant is awarded based on the current service level as well as demand from the public for new service.

Over the last few months, ridership with the transit system has been on the rise, Bartley said. She attributes the increase to more information and public awareness of the service.

&uot;People are just realizing that it’s there and it’s not just for senior citizens,&uot; Bartley said.

Many people mistakingly associate the city’s public transportation system with the elderly, since the service grew out of the need for transporation for seniors and the disabled, she said.

Notification of the grant award came earlier this month, but Bartley said she only learned of the monetary amount upon receipt of the &uot;letter to proceed&uot; a few weeks ago.

The letter allows Natchez Transit to operate as if the funds were in hand and authorizes MDOT to reimburse the city for any costs incurred.

Bartley’s office is also waiting final approval from the Southwest Mississippi Planning and Development District on funding for six grants for senior programs, including a new grant for Medicare waiver meals.

Renovations of the senior center are almost complete, and Bartley said she hopes to open the former school building for an open house in early December.