Transportation Ideas to Implement in Your Community

The first steps for Winnemucca in our discussion about transportation was to run a survey: what's available; when is it available; is there a cost; where does it go; what else do riders need to know?
We learned that the Senior Center bus runs Monday through Friday during business hours and that riders can go just about anywhere in the city for a nominal fee.
One problem includes the fact that riders must be able to get out to the curb by their homes for the bus to pick them up and when they exit the bus, they need to be able to navigate on their own.
Of course, many who want to ride the bus have limited mobility. They cannot meet at the curb as, for example, their sidewalk is steep and has cracks, the wheelchair and/or walker are difficult to manipulate, in climate weather makes waiting outside for the bus hard, and so getting to and waiting at the curb become impossible.
Our solution: A concierge service assists riders. Seniors can phone the senior center to learn when the "Concierge" will be riding the bus. The Concierge helps with entry and exit as well as helping the individual into his/her home.
Another problem: Riding the bus to downtown shops and then finding that there are no parking spots for the senior bus to pull over and load or unload passengers. The bus cannot block traffic and passengers cannot just be set free in the street.
Our solution: An accessible space large enough for the bus has been designated downtown so that now the bus can park in a convenient spot for all passengers.
A third problem: Insurance rates for cars are expensive plus as drivers age, some of the rules-of-the road have changed or have been forgotten.
Our solution: A volunteer who became a trained instructor with AARP teaches the fundamentals class, helps seniors review critical driving topics, and assists those who have completed the course to report it to insurance companies for a small discount in the rate.
Finally, we faced letting everyone know about all of the wonderful services offered in Winnemucca and Humboldt County.
Our solution: We created a booklet full of pertinent information, we added a monthly blurb in our local newspaper about services and upcoming events, we worked with our local radio station to disiminate information, and we had a website designed: www.adf-winnemucca.com