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Successful Aging - Archived Article
"Coaches" Can Help You Travel
When was the last time you traveled on a Broome Transit bus? In large cities, traveling by bus is second nature to most people. It eliminates the need to find parking and deal with traffic jams. It keeps you free to relax and observe the scenery, leaving the hassles of driving to the bus driver. Here in Broome County, however, many older people are unaccustomed to taking the bus. They may have gotten used to driving their cars everywhere or getting a lift from a friend.
But what happens when your situation changes? What if you can't drive, or don't want to be bothered by owning a car anymore? Suppose there's no one to take you places, or you've decided you want to be more independent? What do you do?
Staying home all the time could leave you isolated. You don't want to miss all the activities you used to do. You don't need special transportation, but you've never really been on a city bus, and you don't know how the system works.
If the only thing keeping you from riding the bus is that you're not sure how to manage it, we have a solution for you.
Broome County Department of Public Transportation, RSVP, and Office for Aging are cooperating in a program that can help seniors get comfortable with using the fixed route (regular) buses. RSVP has recruited volunteers who have learned how to plan trips using the buses. These people are called "Travel Coaches."
BC Transit staff have trained the coaches on bus routes; how to read the bus schedules; the best times to travel; what the fares are at different times of the day; and how to transfer between buses. The coaches know how to plan trips using the bus-- and they can guide groups of seniors who would like to learn more about using the buses for their own trips. They can also assist people who want to use the bus to go to an appointment, where getting there at a specific time is necessary.
Office for Aging will be contacting senior centers and senior housing to schedule "practice trips" for interested people. You can go with a group to try the buses and learn how the system works. You may find that the bus system can give you the rides you need at the times you want to travel. It's inexpensive to travel by bus-and it's half price during times of day when the bus is not busy.
Broome Transit buses follow a regular schedule, so you don't need to plan ahead and make a reservation. You can decide at the last minute that you want to go somewhere. Going where you want to go can be as easy as checking the schedule and finding the nearest bus stop.
For people who have never ridden a bus, the first trip is the hardest. Having a good trip the first time a person rides can make a difference in whether he or she wants to ride again. The "Travel Coaches" can help to make sure that your first trip is a pleasant one.
For more information, call Broome County Office for Aging at 607.778.2411.
Broome County Transportation / BC Transit