(Chelsea Update would like to thank Bill O’Reilly for the information in this story.)
The Chelsea Senior Center (CSC) recently announced it is expanding transportation options for area seniors via its ROAM program.
In 2019, CSC introduced its transportation support program – ROAM (Rural Older Adults in Motion) funded through the Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation’s Vital Seniors Initiative (VSI). Also, in 2019, CSC provided Chelsea based transportation provider WAVE with the majority of funds needed to purchase a new 12 passenger “ROAM bus” to expand transportation options for area seniors.
And since 2019, CSC has provided funding to assist WAVE in keeping the ROAM bus in service and will do so through the end of the current agreement (Sept. 30). At that time, the ROAM bus will continue to be part of the WAVE fleet and CSC will continue its support of WAVE services by providing seniors with fare-free WAVE bus passes.
Effective July 10, CSC will be tapping an existing staff member with the role of ROAM Coordinator and this person will be responsible for streamlining the process of connecting area seniors to transportation options.
The idea is to reduce and ideally, eliminate the need for someone to make multiple calls to find needed transportation. WAVE will remain the “go to” option for CSC to reach out to and not in any way will CSC be competing with WAVE. In fact, CSC will be purchasing WAVE bus passes in bulk and providing them at no cost to area seniors.
So, while seniors will continue to be encouraged to contact WAVE directly, they can also feel free to call CSC. However, when there are needs that WAVE cannot meet, such as transportation to a medical procedure requiring the driver to wait for up to several hours, CSC will have a driver available with the CSC’s Ann Van – at no cost to the rider. Or if, for example, a ride is needed to the airport, CSC will connect them to a third-party who will provide that service for a fee.
CSC’s Ann Van, also funded through VSI, is named in honor of Ann Feeney who, among her many, many services to the people of Chelsea, was a volunteer driver for Meals on Wheels for over 40 years. CSC has been the home of the area Meals on Wheels program for over 10 years. CSC will expand the use of the Ann Van for special local trips. An example of this is trips on Wednesday afternoons to the Chelsea Farmers Market, and special “ROAM Around Town” trips to local sites of interest.
The goal of the expanded program is to meet the initial goal of CSC being a hub or a one-stop “shop” for the transportation needs of area seniors.
Anyone interested in learning more about these services is encouraged to call CSC at 734-475-9242 or e-mail our ROAM Coordinator at ROAM@chelseaseniors.org.
