Seniors Speak Up To Save Their Dial-A-Ride Access

Sonora, CA — Seniors showed up to Wednesday’s Tuolumne County Transportation Council (TCTC)  meeting to protest possible eligibility changes to its Dial-A-Ride bus service.

The program currently provides those with disabilities, veterans, and seniors over 60 with door-to-door rides to non-emergency medical and personal care appointments.  However, costs and a push to get able-bodied seniors to use the regular bus routes prompted the potential policy switch that would have halted the service to those not certified under the Americans with Disabilities Act, according to Executive Director Darin Grossi.

About a dozen people told the board their objections to turning some seniors away, says Grossi, who adds, “The main concern for seniors was, number one, we are an aging population.  Seniors rely on Dial-A-Ride.  Secondly, there were concerns about making it an Americans with Disabilities Act compliance service only.  Apparently, there are seniors that are not ready to acknowledge that they may have some mobility limitations and by eliminating their eligibility by age, could cause problems for them individually, as well as, the community as a whole.”

After listening to the public’s feedback, the board voted unanimously to keep the current policy.