Westport, MA

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022

Project Category: Public or private transit access

Description: This project established a fixed-route transportation service for older adults, operating one day per week between common shopping, banking and medical destinations in this rural community.

Chino Valley, AZ

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2017

Project Category: Public or private transit access

Description: Yavapai Regional Transit installed an ADA-compliant bus stop shelter in Chino Valley. Although the transit provider had purchased a steel bus shelter, it lacked enough funding to install it properly. This project laid a concrete pad for the shelter, as well as an accessible walkway and bollards to protect it from traffic. On the day of its installation, a frequent rider asked if she could sit on the bench just to try it out. She told project organizers she was looking forward to having shelter from the sun and rain. Yavapai Regional transit chose Chino Valley for the shelter because many residents there don't drive or lack financial resources for other forms of transportation.

Chula Vista, CA

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2018

Project Category: Public or private transit access

Description: The City of Chula Vista wanted to increase older adults' familiarity with public transit options. Partnering with the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System, they held Travel Training 101 courses with more than forty older residents. Instructors provided trainees with information on how to read transit schedules, plan trips and purchase fares. Then they held field trips, using transit to visit a community festival and the Norman Park Senior Center. Additionally, participants received a 30-day senior transit pass. Following the training, participants said they felt more comfortable using transit, with 83 percent planning to renew their passes. One said she realized that the 20-minute bus ride between their home and the Senior Center saved her 62 a month. Previously she paid 40 round trip by taxi at least twice monthly.