al N
Michigan
National
Bank
Boris Smelyanskiy helps Hechtman residents board the van.
Private Van Transport
Helps Seniors Travel
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2/12/93
enior citizens living
in Jewish Federation
Apartments will
have an easier time
getting around town if all
goes well with a three-
month pilot transporta-
tion program.
The program, which
began in late January,-
offers JFA residents pri-
vate van rides to the doc-
tor's office, grocery store,
theater and other destina-
tions.
Until recently, most
-seniors have gotten lifts
from relatives, or they
ride a public bus. But nei-
ther of these options is
ideal, some residents say.
Transportation can be
particularly tough for
seniors living in
Hechtman Federation
Apartments in West
Bloomfield, according to
Penny Feldman, program
administrator foi Jewish
Federation Apartments.
Outreach, a nonsectarian
senior transportation pro-
gram, operates in Oak
Park, but - not West
Bloomfield.
"The residents (in West
Bloomfield) felt almost
stranded," she said.
With the new program,
residents make reserva-
tions with the front office
of the apartment building.
Apartment employees
coordinate a van pool.
In Oak Park, where the
service is offered three
days a week, approximate-
ly 15 seniors use it daily.
In West Bloomfield, the
numbers are slightly high-
er.
But some seniors, say
Mrs. Feldman, are hesi-
tant about changing from
public transportation and
the Outreach Program.
These are services they
have become accustomed
to, even though they
might not be as conve-
nient, she says.
However, the continua-
tion of the new program
beyond its three-month
pilot period will depend on
continued interest in its
services.
The program starte
when Jewish Federation
Apartments teamed up
with the UHS Transport-
ation Department and
Independence For Life, a
nonprofit van transporta-
tion program for senior,
citizens.
Independence For Life
agreed to lease a van to
the UHS Transportation
Department for $1 each
year. It offers a similar
service to the Jewish
Community Center and
Jewish Vocational Service.
In exch'ange, the UHS
Transportation Depart-
ment repairs and main-
tains Independence For
Life vehicles for a price
lower than dealerships
offer.
For seniors, the cost of a
trip is based on the trip's
purpose. Round-trip rides
to the doctor's office cost
$3. Seniors purchasing
food stamps in Madison
Heights pay $2. Entertain-
ment excursions cost $4.
These costs are partially
subsidized by a Cook
endowment. ❑