Amador County – The Amador Regional Transit System board of directors heard an update on a new Mobility Management program that was announced earlier this month. The board at its regular meeting Wednesday heard from new ARTS Mobility Manager Mel Welsh, who said the program actually began with a September 2009 federal grant that gives the program $250,000 over 2 years. Welsh said the grant was administered by the California Department of Transportation, and the department had already submitted an application for another 2-year grant. Welsh said programs offered through mobility management are trip planning, “Google Transit,” travel training, and programs through Sutter Amador Hospital and volunteer drivers. She said some projects include a volunteer fair; the “Sierra Wind, Wellness & Recovery Center;” adult GEDs; and Earth Day events. The department is also working on partnerships with Calaveras Transit and Tuolumne Transit; and was accepted as a training associate for Motherlode Job Training. Welsh said her assistant Caitlin Grillo had also identified out-of-date, or un-dated ARTS manuals, and a project would update those for a “comprehensive resource manual.” Transit board member Supervisor Richard Forster said mobility management is also about making services and solutions cost-effective, and because ARTS does not have as much money, they should make it work for the customers and for the transit board. Supervisor John Plasse said ridership in the county continues to decline, and mobility management should make sure funds are being used in the most cost-effective way. He said a bus will never work for everyone, and a public subsidy does not mean “bailing out” a gambler from Oakland who over-extended herself at the casino and cannot get home. Welsh said among her biggest effort areas would be the Sierra Wind project, and a planned “social services roundtable.” She said Mobility Management will especially help elderly, low-income and handicapped people. But it will also help anyone wanting to learn about mass transit or other transit. She said it will be involved with community agencies and non-profits “to assist with mobility issues and find solutions.” Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. -
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Amador County – The Amador Regional Transit System board of directors heard an update on a new Mobility Management program that was announced earlier this month. The board at its regular meeting Wednesday heard from new ARTS Mobility Manager Mel Welsh, who said the program actually began with a September 2009 federal grant that gives the program $250,000 over 2 years. Welsh said the grant was administered by the California Department of Transportation, and the department had already submitted an application for another 2-year grant. Welsh said programs offered through mobility management are trip planning, “Google Transit,” travel training, and programs through Sutter Amador Hospital and volunteer drivers. She said some projects include a volunteer fair; the “Sierra Wind, Wellness & Recovery Center;” adult GEDs; and Earth Day events. The department is also working on partnerships with Calaveras Transit and Tuolumne Transit; and was accepted as a training associate for Motherlode Job Training. Welsh said her assistant Caitlin Grillo had also identified out-of-date, or un-dated ARTS manuals, and a project would update those for a “comprehensive resource manual.” Transit board member Supervisor Richard Forster said mobility management is also about making services and solutions cost-effective, and because ARTS does not have as much money, they should make it work for the customers and for the transit board. Supervisor John Plasse said ridership in the county continues to decline, and mobility management should make sure funds are being used in the most cost-effective way. He said a bus will never work for everyone, and a public subsidy does not mean “bailing out” a gambler from Oakland who over-extended herself at the casino and cannot get home. Welsh said among her biggest effort areas would be the Sierra Wind project, and a planned “social services roundtable.” She said Mobility Management will especially help elderly, low-income and handicapped people. But it will also help anyone wanting to learn about mass transit or other transit. She said it will be involved with community agencies and non-profits “to assist with mobility issues and find solutions.” Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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