Senior-transportation solutions soughtLifeWise Community Press Releases: Jun 15, 2995
Author: Susan Nolan news@seacoastonline.com |
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BRENTWOOD - A meeting to coordinate public transportation for Rockingham County’s senior citizens Tuesday revealed there are a number of organizations in the county giving rides to seniors who can’t drive.
The problem, said Rockingham County Transportation Planner Scott Bogle, is that the organizations may be duplicating each other’s efforts. Joining forces could be more cost effective, and a way to bring in more federal funding, he said.. While every van and bus on the road is needed, there is some duplication of effort in administration and dispatching, said Bogle. Bogle was one of several speakers at a public transportation symposium at the County Complex, sponsored by the Rockingham Area Committee on Aging Tuesday. Although some communities across the state are beginning to coordinate their efforts, Portsmouth is currently out of that loop, said Bogle. The planner said he hopes a group formed in Strafford County this year might eventually include the eastern part of Rockingham County, including Portsmouth. But that is not on the horizon at the moment. Nationally, said Bogle, one out of five people over the age of 65 do not drive. Rockingham County’s over-65 population rose 28 percent from 1990 to 2000 compared to 18 percent in the state and 12 percent across the county. Nearly a quarter of the county’s population is now over age 55 and that percentage is expected to rise to 36 percent by 2015. New Hampshire is at the bottom of the list out of the six New England states for transportation spending. "The idea is getting as many agencies as possible to collaborate and get more things done," said Steven Wells, executive director of COAST (the Cooperative Alliance for Seacoast Transportation). Portsmouth had been discussing coordinated efforts, but the city’s transportation director, John Burke, left this spring for another position. Judy Burnell, community service director for the Portsmouth Housing Authority, which provides transportation for the seniors and disabled population of Portsmouth, is concerned about transportation for the aging. "It certainly is a major problem not only for the citizens of Portsmouth, but for the state of New Hampshire," she said. "We’re always getting calls from Newington and Greenland. Why can’t you take me?" said Burnell. However, Portsmouth Housing Authority vehicles must remain in the city. "In all the surrounding towns people are looking for transportation into the city, especially for medical appointments," Burnell added. |
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Bruce A. Montville EE
President & CEO
President & CEO