For physically disabled, public transit allows something many have lost – independence
The new River Parishes transit system got off to a quick start in its opening month, delivering 646 people from St. Charles and St. John to destinations across both parishes. And at least 40 percent of those February riders came from St. Charles Parish.
“There are a lot of folks using the system and it has picked up a little quicker than we first anticipated,” Aislinn Costello, the system’s operations manager, said. “We have a lot of older citizens using the buses, but we also have some people from Des Allemands and Paradis who use the bus to get to work.”
And for some, like 50-year-old St. Rose resident Regina Hampshire, the new transportation system has allowed them to regain their independence. Hampshire, who has cerebral palsy and rheumatoid arthritis, started using the bus system four days after it debuted on Feb. 2. Now, Hampshire rides the bus three to four times a week.
“I use it to go back and forth to physical therapy and also to take care of my household responsibilities, such as going to the grocery store,” Hampshire said. “I am unable to drive because of my physical disability, and I have never been one to depend on my family members and friends – even though they would always lend a helping hand if I asked them to.
“I’ve just always been an independent person.”
Previously, Hampshire used a scooter to get around the East Bank by riding the levee. Because of the scooter, she was able to travel to both New Sarpy and Ethel Schoeffner, where she worked as a substitute teacher last year. But because she used the scooter so much, it broke down. While she has ordered a new one, the bus system has been able to take its place.
“It has made my life a little easier because now I don’t have to work around my husband’s schedule or have to call my friends to help,” she said. “I look at my life as a puzzle, and now one of the pieces has fallen into place.”
Even when her new scooter comes in, Hampshire said she will continue to use the bus to take some of the burden off of her personal vehicle.
The very first person to register for the system was a woman from Taft who is blind. Costello said that the woman uses the system once or twice a week. Costello said that two students, one in St. Rose and one in Destrehan, also use the bus to attend school in St. John.
“Which I’m sure makes things a lot easier for their parents,” she said.
The service is the first of its kind in the River Parishes and uses three on-demand delivery shuttles. For instance, if a rider lives in Hahnville but needs a ride to the Wal-Mart in Boutte, they just have to call the service a day in advance to schedule their ride to and from their location.
The driver will also assist riders when they board the vehicle if they need help.
And if residents need a ride to New Orleans, they can catch the bus and get dropped off in Kenner. From Kenner, they can catch another bus to the Crescent City.
Though only six people used the system when it began on Feb. 2, now close to 45 people ride one of the three, 12-passenger buses everyday. There are also 12 people who use the service to get to work every morning.
And as ridership begins to increase, Costello doesn’t think the service will have a problem meeting the demand.
“We have been able to accommodate most people, and bring them to their destination at the times they requested,” she said. “Sometimes, we do have to negotiate with people and maybe set up another time other than the one they wanted, but so far, we haven’t had any problems.
“As ridership grows, the board will look at all the information we present them and then decide if they need additional buses.”
Costello said that a lot of the riders have learned to call early in order to get to their destination in the time they request.
“That’s the plus of the system,” she said. “The folks who really need a ride call in, which allows the system to work to the best of its ability.”
And the response Costello has received from those that use the bus has been positive.
“I talked to a woman who uses the bus system and she said that the system had freed her from prison,” Costello said. “She can’t drive on her own, but now she can go to the hair salon or the grocery store on her own and not have to rely on family members or friends to bring her.”
The shuttles run Monday through Friday from 5:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Appointments can be made by calling 985-651-1141 or 877-651-1171.
Be the first to comment