(Evening Sun File Photo)

NORWICH – A new round of state money is helping county officials alleviate some of the burden of non-emergency medical transportation in Chenango’s rural areas.

The Chenango County Board of Supervisors adopted a resolution in June that allocates more than $970,000 from the New York State Department of Health to assist with transportation of Medicaid recipients in need of rides to non-emergency medical appointments.

The state’s annual bout of funding to rural areas helps local governments ease the burden created by the DOH takeover of Medicaid transportation. This year, nearly $6 million was awarded to local communities statewide.

Chenango County’s allotment goes to the private bussing company First Transit which entertains a private-public partnership with the county. Where First Transit provides services, the county buys and maintains its buses.