Seniors and disabled people should find it easier to go places in coming years, advocates said Wednesday while praising a study paving the way for assisted transportation.
"We understand this is a trying time for everyone, but it's even more trying for seniors and people with disabilities who can't get out," Jenny Kenoyer told transportation leaders. "Think about your mom, your dad. Maybe even you will be in a position where you'll need door-through-door (help)."
The first-of-its-kind assessment found that Stanislaus County's bus and dial-a-ride services are plentiful and effective but can't help people who might be too old or crippled to come to the street. The county is home to about 5,800 homebound people who might fall through the cracks 780,000 times a year, a consulting firm estimates.
Wednesday's hearing at Tenth Street Place drew no speakers from that population. Several advocates, how- ever, told transportation leaders that the study will be crucial to securing money for expanded programs.
For example, $15 million in government funding for transit throughout Stanislaus County is set aside for the fiscal year ending June 30, but transit operators only need $14.1 million. The excess -- $900,000 this year -- could not be used to enhance transit without a justifying study.
"Nine-hundred-thousand dollars doesn't sound like a lot," said Tom Truax, executive director for the Society of Handicapped Children and Adults. "But it's a ton of money to small nonprofit agencies."
Those groups played an important role in the survey and are expected to help form a transit advisory committee to vet the study's recommendations. Meanwhile, transportation leaders will refine "unmet transit needs" language in their spending rules.
The committee's future members "are going to have to be the champions of this study," said Brad Christian, the county's transit manager.
Need for familiarization suggested
The study suggests more people would ride buses or call dial-a-ride if they were familiar with such services. "We found that a lot of people are just intimidated about using public transportation," Christian said.
Other recommendations include establishing a driving corps of volunteers who would be reimbursed, costing about $1.9 million over five years, or creating a "mobility management office" referring callers to appropriate services at a cost of $2.9 million over five years.
County Supervisor Dick Monteith said the study can be used to apply for grants with "less strings attached" than usual government funding.
"This (study) sets the table for us to have an open and honest conversation about what the needs are," said Terry Plett, executive director for DRAIL, or the Disability Resource Agency for Independent Living.
Modesto Councilman Brad Hawn, whose 85-year-old mother lives in his home, said families are "an untapped resource" for future services. "It's impressive to me, the amount of volunteerism that's already occurring," he said.
Bee staff writer Garth Stapley can be reached at gstapley@modbee.com or 578-2390.
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