John Anderson will drive the new senior shuttle. (David Boraks photo)

By DAVID BORAKS
DavidsonNews.net

A year ago when the town’s Aging in Place Task Force reported its findings on the needs of local seniors, high on a wish list of local services was improved local transportation. On Monday, Jan. 26, local officials will be able to check that task off the list with the launch of the Davidson Dash – a weekly shuttle bus to help seniors get to shopping, offices or meetings.

Davidson Dash will operate Mondays from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., with seating by reservation only. For $1 a roundtrip, driver John Anderson and his town bus will pick up seniors ages 55 and older, as well as disabled residents who can get on off without assistance, at their home. He’ll deliver them to the Harris Teeter near Exit 30, Sadler Square on Griffith Street, on Main Street downtown, or along South Main Street.

The idea, town officials and local seniors say, is to help residents who want to shop, visit the library, grab a coffee or lunch with friends, fill a prescription or run other errands. The bus will offer rides home until 2:30.

“We wanted to do something that would help both merchants and seniors. It seemed like a great idea for everybody,” said Sara-Lynne Levine, Davidson’s town spokeswoman.

A PRIORITY FOR SENIORS

In a survey conducted in 2007 by the task force, elder residents were asked what might make Davidson a better place to live and what they would need to remain in their homes as long as possible.

“Transportation was a real concern when we did the survey,” said resident Sauni Wood, who served on the task force.

In a response typical of the feedback, one resident said: “My husband doesn’t drive. I am hoping we will have a shuttle bus that will pick us up at the door by the time I’m no longer driving. Many small towns up north offer this service if you call a day ahead of time. They charge a small fee of course.”

The town wanted to help, but money was a stumbling block. Then town officials learned of a small grant available that might help start a once-a-week pilot project.

PILOT PROGRAM

In August 2008, the town was awarded $2,500 from the Aging in Place Initiative and the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging, with support from the MetLife Foundation.

The money is enough to pay for gasoline. The service will use an existing town bus and add the duties to the job of Mr. Anderson, a part-time Parks & Rec employee.

Town officials plan to see how the service goes and then decide whether its feasible to continue or expand.

“The hope is that after 6 months we would be able to determine if this will be able to go on in some form, and then determine how to pay for it,” Ms. Wood said.

RULES OF THE RIDE

Besides asking residents to reserve seats in advance, the town has issued these instructions for potential riders.

• Payment will be made to the driver on the first leg of the trip. Please be ready 10 minutes before your pick up time, wait at a location where you are visible to the driver, and allow a 15-minute window.
• Transportation is provided curb to curb for seniors at least 55 years old and disabled residents. Passengers must be able to board and disembark the bus on their own.
• You must have an advance ride registration to use this service. We can’t accept same day reservations.
• Riders must call as soon as possible if they need to cancel, otherwise this will be marked as a “no-show”. Three no-shows in any one month period will result in suspension from the program.
• Reservations are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis up to 25 riders per week.

LINKS

Jan. 8, 2008, DavidsonNews.net, “Aging task force offers wish list.”

Town of Davidson web page for the Davidson Dash, CLICK HERE>

Town resources web page for seniors. CLICK HERE>