NORTHAMPTON — Being a senior on the move just got more personalized as Northampton Senior Services began its new weekday van transportation this week.
The van service is part of the new Pioneer Valley Transit Authority Paratransit Pilot Program. The city was one of four communities selected to participate in along with East Longmeadow, Hampden and Wilbraham.
As part of the program, PVTA provides the city with a van, maintenance, technical assistance, driver training and financial reimbursement for each ride.
“We will be able to provide a lot more personal service,” said Michele Dihlmann, a social work with the senior center. “We’ll be able to do just senior rides.”
Monday was the first day of the new dial-a-ride program and the first two days are likely to be slow. There were no takers for rides Monday but the rest of the week had bookings scheduled with room for more rides.
“Well, we’ve got a huge snowstorm (on the) second day out,” said Jennifer Carbery, the senior center’s transportation coordinator. “I think it will be well received.”
The center’s director, Linda Desmond, envisions the improved ride system as a catalyst for expanded programming as it would also for more transportation to area attractions like the area colleges’ theaters.
Mayor David Narkewicz was on hand Monday as the small bus made a tour through the parking lot. He also serves as the chairman of the PVTA Advisory Board.
He called the program a great fit for the center and said he was happy to participate in it.
“The folks here in the Council on Aging and the Senior Center know the folks and know the programs,” Narkewicz said.
Riders pay $2 for a roundtrip, door-to-door ride, anywhere within Northampton, Florence and Leeds. While the rides are available 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday, expansion to outside of Northampton is expected.
With the new bus program, Dihlmann said she hoped there would be less of a wait for rides.
“It’s going to be great. People are going to be able to go to the grocery store more,” Dihlmann said.
Those 60 and older can book a ride by calling Carbery at 584-7979. For transportation to a scheduled medical appointment a one-week notice should be given while all other trips require 24-hour notice. More information about the program can be found by calling Carbery.
A second van funded through the center’s “Kick the Tires Campaign” is expected to hit the road in April and will allow for out-of-town transportation as well as special day trips.
The volunteer-run medical transportation program will continue as well as the PVTA service for ADA eligible individuals, according to the center.
“Reducing social isolation — that is what it is all about,” Desmond said. “No one should be isolated and lonely anymore. That is why transportation is such an important issue for us.”
Emily Cutts can be reached at ecutts@gazettenet.com.