FONDA — Montgomery County saved nearly $7,500 in less than four months by offering public transportation as an alternative for residents who were taking taxis to Fonda at the county’s expense.

The Montgomery Area Express, or MAX, served 936 riders since the bus system began operating in mid-February, according to a report reviewed this week by the county’s Board of Supervisors.

Two buses travel a loop along state routes 5 and 5S in 10 runs daily Monday through Friday, making about 11 stops from St. Johnsville at the western end of the county to Amsterdam at the eastern end.

A gradual rise in ridership and money are among several factors Montgomery County officials hope will garner support for a grant application to keep the system growing.

In a memo to county supervisors, Senior Planner Doug Greene said the state Department of Transportation is accepting applications for a new round of Job Access and Reverse Commute grant funding with a June 20 deadline.

The county is eligible for up to $150,000 in JARC funding, federal money administered by the state with the goal of filling in gaps in transportation to help lower-income people move into the work force, according to DOT.

If the grant application is approved, Montgomery County would have to put $15,000 in matching funds toward the initiative, according to the county’s resolution.

The MAX transportation system is coordinated by the county Economic Development and Planning Office and operated by Brown Coach Inc. under a $243,097 contract approved last fall.

County Economic Development Director Ken Rose said factors like increased ridership can help support the county’s application for funding.

“They’re not going to continue to throw money at a failing system,” Rose said.

“Obviously, with the ridership increasing, it’s an extremely positive sign. And as our vouchers increase as well that’s a really strong sign a lot of individuals are starting to utilize public transportation,” Rose said.

Public transportation rarely pays for itself, Rose said. But with state and federal assistance, the county is only paying a fraction of the overall costs for operating the system.

A trip from St. Johnsville to Amsterdam costs $5, and the trip from Fonda to Amsterdam costs $3 on the MAX. For $50, people can obtain a “freedom pass” with unlimited rides for a month.

According to Greene’s report, future plans for the service include expanding to the Johnstown Industrial Park, surveying county employees and businesses to accommodate their needs and working to update the schedule.

Shayne Walters, chairman of the county Board of Supervisors’ general services committee with oversight on transportation, said advertising should be prioritized.

There isn’t any money in the county budget for advertising, Walters said, but he believes it’s something that could be funded now that the bus schedule is consistent.