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Let someone else do the driving
By RODNEY THRASH
Published November 29, 2005
Most experts agree that, without a car, seniors have a hard time getting around, especially if family and friends do not live nearby.
"Some people may recognize that they may not be able to drive as safely as they once did," said Dennis McCarthy, co-director of the National Older Driver Research and Training Center at the University of Florida. But the lack of alternatives "may force people to drive longer than they normally would."
Some alternatives:
GULFPORT EXTENDED MINI BUS SERVICE, Gulfport, (727) 893-2242 or (727) 893-1000.
Area served: Gulfport, downtown St. Petersburg, 38th Avenue N in St. Petersburg, South Pasadena, special trips to Wal-Mart and Tyrone Square Mall.
Eligibility and fees: Must be a Gulfport resident, disabled or 55 or older. $120 annually, or in installments. $3 one-way.
SUNSHINE LINE, Tampa, (813) 272-7272.
Advance notice: Reservations can be made up to two weeks in advance, but no less than two days in advance.
Area served: Limited to medical and adult day care facilities. Nonmedical trips are provided if space is available.
Eligibility and fees: Elderly, low-income and disabled people, including Hillsborough Healthcare clients, who do not have or cannot afford their own transportation. Fees are charged for some trips.
PASCO COUNTY PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION, west Pasco (727) 834-3322, central Pasco (813) 235-6073, east Pasco (352) 521-4587.
Advance notice: Three to five days.
Area served: Group dining sites, medical facilities and grocery shopping centers.
Eligibility and fees: The elderly and disabled are eligible. There is no fee for people 60 or older. A fee may be applied for special trips.
DIAL-A-RIDE TRANSIT (DART), St. Petersburg, (727) 530-9921 or (727) 724-0440 (reservations for approved applicants only).
Eligibility and fees: Qualified disabled passengers who are unable to use regular bus service. $2.50 per ride. Multiride punch cards available for Pinellas County.
NEIGHBORLY CARE NETWORK TRANSPORTATION, Clearwater, (727) 571-4384.
Advance notice: Seven days.
Area served: Limited to medical facilities within 10 miles of the senior's home.
Eligibility and fees: Must be 60 or older, not on Medicaid and a Pinellas County resident. No fee. Special trips may have some cost.
OTHER SERVICES in Pasco and Pinellas counties can be found at these Web sites:
www.agingcarefl.org/caregiver/resources/transportation/pasco
and
www.agingcarefl.org/caregiver/resources/transportation/pinellas
[Last modified November 23, 2005, 13:54:06]
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