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Wheat Ridge to offer free senior shuttle service

Contributed by: Office of the Mayor on 6/24/2008

CITY OF WHEAT RIDGE AND SENIORS' RESOURCE CENTER TO LAUNCH FREE "SENIOR CIRCULATOR" SHUTTLE SERVICE BEGINNING JUNE 30TH

Wheat Ridge, CO ­- June 24, 2008 - The City of Wheat Ridge and Seniors' Resource Center are pleased to announce the start of the widely anticipated "Senior Circulator" local shuttle for Wheat Ridge residents ages 60 years or better. "The free shuttle service begins June 30 and will give residents from Cambridge Park, Vintage Place Apartments, and Highland West/South Apartments the option to ride to the Applewood Village Shopping Center to do errands in the City," said Wheat Ridge Mayor Jerry DiTullio. "We are very excited about this new 1 year pilot program. I hope the program serves as a model for other communities in Jefferson County as a new way to meet the changing transportation needs of the senior population."

Riders will be picked up each week at 11:00 a.m. from the locations shown below on the specified day:

Monday - Cambridge Park - 10241 W. 38th Avenue

Tuesday - Vintage Place Apartments - 10700 W. 38th Avenue

Thursday - Highland West/South Apartments - 6360 W. 38th Avenue

The return trip on the "Senior Circulator" will leave promptly at 1 p.m. from the Applewood Village Shopping Center, located at 3400 Youngfield Street. The shuttle will operate on a fixed schedule; therefore, drivers cannot wait for riders. The "Senior Circulator" trips are free and drivers will not accept tips. Donations to help fund the program the program may be made by contacting the Seniors' Resource Center.

"This program is being made possible as a result of the Seniors' Resource Center utilizing existing resources and the City's sponsorship in the amount of $20,000, of this sponsorship $16,000 directly benefits the shuttle program and $4,000 benefits the overall operations of the Center," said Randy Young, City Manager. "According to 2000 Census data, over 25 percent of Wheat Ridge's population is 60 years and older so it is important to provide a convenient and reliable transportation alternative for those residents who are no longer able to drive themselves around the City."

Rides will be provided on the Seniors' Resource Center handicapped-accessible buses, which have a capacity to transport 12 individuals at a time. Seniors' Resource Center drivers can provide assistance in getting on and off the bus as well as assisting riders with packages.

"As the program gets kicked-off, drivers will pass out surveys in order to collect rider input to assist the City and the Seniors' Resource Center in identifying additional or alternative drop off destinations for the program," said Councilmember Tracy Langworthy from District 4.

"This partnership to form the "Senior Circulator" reflects a continued dedication from the City of Wheat Ridge to join Seniors' Resource Center in ensuring the individual independence of older adults, allowing them to participate fully in the life of their community," said John Zabawa, President/CEO.

In 2007, the Transportation Services program at Seniors' Resource Center provided 174,344 rides to the grocery store, medical appointments, community meals and senior centers for older adults and the disabled.

" We appreciate the transportation so much and I don't know what we would do without it," said Milt, a Seniors' Resource Center client. "All of the drivers and workers are very conscientious and helpful."

For more information about the new "Senior Circulator" Shuttle program, please contact the Seniors' Resource Center at 303-238-8151. Please feel free to contact Janice Smothers, Assistant to the Mayor at 303-235-2815, if you would like additional information or would like to provide input on the program.

About the Seniors' Resource Center
Formed in 1978, Seniors' Resource Center, a private non-profit organization, works to preserve and maximize the independence and personal dignity of older adults in order to help them live more comfortably in their own home as they age. More than 100,000 people have been served through its Adult Day & Respite Services, In-Home Care, Transportation, Care Management, referrals to community partners, and Job Training programs. To volunteer or make a contribution in this milestone 30th year of Seniors' Resource Center's outreach to older adults - or inquire about a service - call (303) 238-8151 in metro Denver or visit us online at www.SRCAging.org.


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Office of the Mayor

Wheat Ridge , CO

Office of the Mayor has posted 186 stories and 15 comments since joining on 9/29/2005. Office of the Mayor's average story rating is 4.06.
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