Region Dial-a-Ride Program Expands

CANAAN — No car means no worries about high gas prices. But in an area with minimal public transportation, what’s a vehicularly challenged person to do?

Beginning Jan. 4, Geer Adult Day Center will expand its Dial-a-Ride service to include nonmedical appointments. The center received a state matching grant of $36,000 from a program that benefits the disabled and people over 60 years of age.

"This is something we tried to include in the existing program whenever possible," said Geer Adult Day Center Director Lori Neal. "But we didn’t have the funding to set up a regular schedule."

The grant was requested in April, and Neal said she had about given up on it when the award finally came in November.

Initiating the program has taken some time. The day center had to meet exacting requirements for the leasing of a vehicle (they have obtained a Toyota Sienna minivan).

Neal explained that the state allocated $5 million for this type of transportation. It is divided up based on a formula that factors in the square miles and population of each town.

The new transportation service will be offered to residents in the same towns as the district defined by Geer and the Northwest Connecticut Transit District: Canaan, Falls Village, Sharon, Salisbury and Cornwall.

Those towns will provide the matching grant funds.

Currently, the priority for the service is nonemergency medical appointments, including doctor visits and treatments. Clients were also taken to hair appointments and shopping, but on a limited basis.

"It’s still not going to be what we hoped," Neal said. "We had hoped to be able to provide the expanded service five days per week, but this is a good start. It will allow for more rides to things that may not be necessities, but will improve life for many. It’s a chance to get to a meeting or take a friend out to dinner."

There is no fee for the service, but riders are welcome to give any donation they can afford. Twenty-four hour advance notice — call 860-824-7067 — is required for a ride. The service will be offered Thursdays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Fridays, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Saturdays, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.