But how can you get there from here?

One of the thorniest of problems in the Northwest Corner is the scarcity of public transportation. For those who don’t have their own vehicle for one reason or another, it can be next to impossible to find ways to navigate the most essential of everyday tasks, whether it be food shopping, medical or dental appointments, or getting to and from work.

There is the Northwestern Connecticut Transit District, in Torrington, which offers Dial-A-Ride, Job Access and Candystriper programs for area residents. These rides can be challenging to tap into, however, with limited hours and a 24 to 48 hour lead time to sign up for any given time. The program is state funded and has a range of opportunities for people who need transportation, but it is limited in availability, distance and routes. The cost is generally around $1.25 suggested donation, so not very onerous.

Still, it’s not the answer for the full population of the Northwest Corner towns, and it affects the ability of the economy here to grow or even maintain itself. During COVID there were those who left their jobs or were downsized, but now as employers are beginning to ramp back up, especially the schools and medical facilities, they are finding it harder and harder to locate staff people to keep their operations going.

This is a problem that will be harder to solve without direct attention to opportunities to access mass transit of some kind. It’s a struggle for all who don’t drive, or can’t afford a car or even the necessary gasoline. Having the ability to tap into mass transportation of some kind can help those who are locked into a cycle of being unable to get around, for jobs, shopping or health care.

The town of Sharon has been investigating the possibility of purchasing a van to be shared with its recreation department to help its residents get around more easily. In Norfolk, First Selectman Matt Riiska saw the need for his community to find easier access to transportation, and he received a grant for a vehicle a few years ago to help his town residents do just that. Rather than waiting for a regional solution to be implemented, he took action.

This is the kind of creative thinking and action that will be needed if this long-term problem of access to transportation is going to be solved. For more on what is available, check with the Northwestern Connecticut Transit District at www.nwcttransit.com or by phone as follows: Local, 860-489-2535; Toll free, 866-906-7433. Now is the time to think about what can be done with what available money there is to help change this critical gap in services in our region.