2008 Woodie Awards
Local transportation program asks for more funds
Dana Statton
Issue date: 4/3/07 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
The president of the Rockbridge Area Transportation System (R.A.T.S.), Sue LaRue, strongly urged the County Board of Supervisors to increase their funding at last Monday's meeting.
"Although we have been studying how other communities do it, but before we can get to those ideas, we have to survive," she said.
LaRue asked for $17,500 based on a $1.15 per capita per mile.
R.A.T.S. drove approximately 222,665 miles last year in 10,394 trips.
The fare that R.A.T.S. collects does not cover the operating costs of the system. The system has become dependent on the local government, grants, and donations which it was never meant to do.
R.A.T.S. was formed under the presumption that it would pay for itself.
The point of the transportation system is to provide safe, affordable, specialized transport for the elderly, disabled, isolated, and low income citizens of the community to needed medical and therapeutic appointments, drug stores, employment appointments, as well as shopping and social activities. The system does this for a reduced or subsidized fee.
For example, a ride to Goshen takes $60 but the rider only pays $15 of that. R.A.T.S. is left to pay for these longer trips.
Harold Williamson, who is on the board of R.A.T.S. accompanied the president to the meeting. He spoke on the behalf of those who use R.A.T.S.
"Even though we might not be a high priority, we should be included in the city budget. This is a core need by the citizens," he said.
Williamson explained how the board hopes to consolidate with other human service agencies like mental health agencies and elderly homes. Their vans could be used so that more trips could be made to clients farther away.
One of these possible partnerships could be with the Magnolia Center, a day center for mentally handicapped clients.
Laura Williams, a case coordinator at the center, said that the need for a more equipped system was needed. People who attend the center can not get a direct ride from R.A.T.S. Instead, they must call LogistiCare. LogistiCare partners with government agencies, commercial customers and non-emergency transportation providers "to solve problems of managing tight budgets while enabling access to essential healthcare and social services for millions of Americans every year."
Williams told of one man who called LogistiCare. He had to wait four hours for a LogistiCare approved person to come down from Maryland and drive him six miles across town because the R.A.T.S. buses could not take any more riders.
"It's the biggest waste. Something has to be done," she said.
At the end of the board meeting, Maynard Reynolds, a member of the board, suggested to give $5,000 of the $30,000 that was tentatively supposed to go the Stonewall Jackson Hospital to R.A.T.S. The hospital was recently acquired by Carillion, a for-profit group.
"The money would help the poor more than Carillion," said Reynolds.
The motion passed and R.A.T.S. is that much closer to meeting its goal of supporting itself.
"Although we have been studying how other communities do it, but before we can get to those ideas, we have to survive," she said.
LaRue asked for $17,500 based on a $1.15 per capita per mile.
R.A.T.S. drove approximately 222,665 miles last year in 10,394 trips.
The fare that R.A.T.S. collects does not cover the operating costs of the system. The system has become dependent on the local government, grants, and donations which it was never meant to do.
R.A.T.S. was formed under the presumption that it would pay for itself.
The point of the transportation system is to provide safe, affordable, specialized transport for the elderly, disabled, isolated, and low income citizens of the community to needed medical and therapeutic appointments, drug stores, employment appointments, as well as shopping and social activities. The system does this for a reduced or subsidized fee.
For example, a ride to Goshen takes $60 but the rider only pays $15 of that. R.A.T.S. is left to pay for these longer trips.
Harold Williamson, who is on the board of R.A.T.S. accompanied the president to the meeting. He spoke on the behalf of those who use R.A.T.S.
"Even though we might not be a high priority, we should be included in the city budget. This is a core need by the citizens," he said.
Williamson explained how the board hopes to consolidate with other human service agencies like mental health agencies and elderly homes. Their vans could be used so that more trips could be made to clients farther away.
One of these possible partnerships could be with the Magnolia Center, a day center for mentally handicapped clients.
Laura Williams, a case coordinator at the center, said that the need for a more equipped system was needed. People who attend the center can not get a direct ride from R.A.T.S. Instead, they must call LogistiCare. LogistiCare partners with government agencies, commercial customers and non-emergency transportation providers "to solve problems of managing tight budgets while enabling access to essential healthcare and social services for millions of Americans every year."
Williams told of one man who called LogistiCare. He had to wait four hours for a LogistiCare approved person to come down from Maryland and drive him six miles across town because the R.A.T.S. buses could not take any more riders.
"It's the biggest waste. Something has to be done," she said.
At the end of the board meeting, Maynard Reynolds, a member of the board, suggested to give $5,000 of the $30,000 that was tentatively supposed to go the Stonewall Jackson Hospital to R.A.T.S. The hospital was recently acquired by Carillion, a for-profit group.
"The money would help the poor more than Carillion," said Reynolds.
The motion passed and R.A.T.S. is that much closer to meeting its goal of supporting itself.
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