WINNEMUCCA - Humboldt County commissioners approved the transportation grant for the elderly and disabled during their April 1 meeting.
"We have 85 seniors and 42 different disabled individuals," said Patricia Tindall, director of the Winnemucca Pleasant Senior Center of those who use the buses.
The 5310 federal transportation grant is given to states to administer and is passed down to counties to be passed through to a private nonprofit, and in this case that's the Pleasant Senior Center.
Myrtle Tanner travels around the United States visiting her children and grandchildren, and when she is in Winnemucca visiting her daughter she uses the bus every day to get to the senior center for lunch.
"If it wasn't for the bus I couldn't come because my kids work. And I come for exercises and I come for the craft group on Tuesdays and Thursdays," she said.
Getting to medical appointments, social functions, church services, community activities and such can be difficult for senior citizens and the mentally and physically disabled who, for various reasons, do not drive.
You must be 60 years old or more or be mentally or physically disabled to have the bus pick you up at your home within about six miles of the senior center and drop you off at your destination. For scheduling purposes riders need to give them 24 hours notice.
"It does enable people to socialize, to meet friends, to get out of the house, to get to important things that they have to do," Tindall said.
According to the U.S. Department of Transportation website, "This program (49 U.S.C. 5310) provides formula funding to states for the purpose of assisting private nonprofit groups in meeting the transportation needs of the elderly and persons with disabilities when the transportation service provided is unavailable, insufficient, or inappropriate to meeting these needs."
Emogene (Gene) Manners uses the bus whenever her car is on the fritz. "My car is always going in the shop all the time," she said. "It's a '91 and it's kinda wearing out." Manners said that the bus drivers were always friendly, good to people and polite. One time her car was in the shop for three months giving her a good look at the road from the passenger's point of view. "I call 'em and they come and get me," she said.
Tom Brissenden, center chairman, said that "It's the only service we have in Humboldt County that provides anything for seniors and disabled. There is no other funded or provided transportation for these folks and it's available on call."
The on-demand transit program allows a passenger to have up to three rides a day. Sometimes the center needs to prioritize rides and medical needs get top priority. They also operate a deviated fixed route, which allows them to go to Walmart, Koury's and Raley's each week. The deviated part is that they will pick you up at your home. "It's a door to door service," Tindall said. "We do have wheelchair lifts on our buses."
They also pick up over 40 mentally handicapped folks and take them to work each day, thereby allowing them to socialize and earn their own money.
The service operates from about 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. They do not provide caregiver assistance, but caregivers are welcome on the buses when assisting a rider.
The grant will only provide up to 80 percent of "allowable expenses" so Tindall will also try to get a Nevada Aging and Disabilities Services Division Independent Living Grant, however, that money is dwindling.
"Then the board members have to somehow make up the rest of the money," she said. "It just does give people more independence and I think it's awesome that we have it in Winnemucca."
For more information you can call the center at 623-6211.
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