$300 Grant Gives RATS GPS Capability   The Rockbridge Area Transportation System (RATS) will buy needed equipment for its vehicles and its office with the help of a recent grant of $300.00 from the Rockbridge Area Community Foundation. According to RATS Director Tim Root, RATS will use part of the grant to purchase a portable GPS navigation unit. “We know the roads in the area pretty well, because we’ve driven on most of them,” says Root. “But we’ve learned that sending a driver to an unfamiliar place can lead to frustration and delays. Using a GPS unit on such trips can make them more efficient and pleasant for both rider and driver. It’s important that we explore applications of new technology to understand how it can improve our service.” The balance of the grant funds will be used to help buy a badly-needed new monitor for one of the computers in the RATS office on West McDowell Street in Lexington, Root says. “We really appreciate this grant from the Community Foundation. It came at a time when it was really needed, and we are going to be able to make good use of the funds.”

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