Chautauqua County citizens will soon have a new program to take advantage of. The Work Force Investment Board's Mobility Manager, CARTS Public Transportation (a Division of the Chautauqua County Department of Public Facilities), the Chautauqua County Office for the Aging and other local human service agencies are implementing strategies in the County Coordinated Transportation Plan. One strategy being developed to enhance transportation for seniors is travel training.
Travel training is being used throughout the United States to increase senior independence. This trainer works with a person and teaches them all they need to know to use this transportation service so they can feel fully prepared to use the service alone. Many seniors and others have never taken the public transportation before and are timid about trying it. Once this program is implemented in Chautauqua County, a senior will be able to learn how to utilize public transportation with the help of a "travel trainer."
The services offered by CARTS Public Transportation include:
City fixed route service: this service is curb-to-curb service provided on a route at specific times. This service is provided in the city of Jamestown and villages of Falconer, Celoron and Lakewood, and the city of Dunkirk. This is the least expensive service available.
Rural routes: curb-to-curb or door-to-door service provided on a set route at specific times but will deviate from the route as time permits to pick up or discharge a passenger. This service is provided to/from the rural areas into the more populated areas of Jamestown, Dunkirk and Mayville.
Demand response (Dial-a-Ride): door-to-door service provided on a reservation basis for those individuals unable to use the fixed route service. This service is primarily provided in the Jamestown and surrounding areas and in the Dunkirk/Fredonia areas. Limited demand service in the rural areas is available as time permits. This service is provided on a first-come, first-serve basis. Areas and times of service are limited so please call well in advance of your transportation date to assure availability.
The anticipated Travel Training Program will enable seniors to increase their mobility through education and matching of appropriate service. In addition, this could be a cost savings to those individuals trained to use the fixed route service.
Call Rich Kimball, mobility manager, at 661-8492 if you are interested in becoming a volunteer travel trainer. For more information about CARTS, call 665-6466, 366-4500 or 800-388-6534.
NY Connects is your one-stop call for information about services available to you in Chautauqua County. Call with your questions and we will provide you with local services and resources in an effort to meet your needs. You can reach NY Connects by phone at 661-7582 (Jamestown), 363-4582 (Dunkirk/Fredonia) and 753-4582 (Mayville/mid-county). The fax number is 753- 4477, or it can be reached by email at ccnyc@co.chautauqua.ny.us. Its offices are located at 7 N. Erie St. in Mayville.
NY Connects is brought to you in cooperation from the Chautauqua County Office for the Aging and the Chautauqua County Department of Social Services.