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A pilot program will put cell phones in the hands of Delawareans using DART paratransit services, giving them a tool to check on the status of the rides on which they rely in their day-to-day lives.
After hearing of instances in which seniors or disabled residents missed their buses or were left waiting for a delayed bus without the means to call and check on scheduling, Rep. Valerie Longhurst (D-Bear) crafted a program that puts cell phones in the hands of those who need them.
“I heard a paratransit driver talking about how they can only wait for a couple minutes at a stop before they have to continue on their route and that sometimes they just miss someone who is running late, then the person ends up waiting,” Longhurst said. “At night, if someone goes to the store or library and it closes, they have to wait for the bus. If they miss it, they would have to wait even longer."
Longhurst's legislation, House Resolution 28, which passed the lower chamber unanimously, creates a pilot program in which 25 donated cell phones from Verizon Wireless will be given to at-risk individuals with physical or cognitive disabilities or other physical limitations. Under the three-month program, which begins Aug. 3, the cell phones would be “locked out,” allowing users to only dial DART customer service and 911 in the event of an emergency.
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Paratransit ridership 2004: 581,400 riders 2008: 850,000* riders * 32 percent increase |
Delaware Developmental Disabilities Council senior administrator Patricia L. Maichle said the pilot program, if successful, could help many persons with disabilities and elderly riders. An evaluation of the program will be reported to the House by Jan. 21.
“With these phones, a person can call and check on a bus,” Ms. Maichle said. “It will empower people to advocate for themselves right then at the moment they need it most. The pilot program will also help define and document the size of the problem and determine if this is the best way to address it.”
A pilot program will put cell phones in the hands of Delawareans using DART paratransit services, giving them a tool to check on the status of the rides on which they rely in their day-to-day lives.
After hearing of instances in which seniors or disabled residents missed their buses or were left waiting for a delayed bus without the means to call and check on scheduling, Rep. Valerie Longhurst (D-Bear) crafted a program that puts cell phones in the hands of those who need them.
“I heard a paratransit driver talking about how they can only wait for a couple minutes at a stop before they have to continue on their route and that sometimes they just miss someone who is running late, then the person ends up waiting,” Longhurst said. “At night, if someone goes to the store or library and it closes, they have to wait for the bus. If they miss it, they would have to wait even longer."
Longhurst's legislation, House Resolution 28, which passed the lower chamber unanimously, creates a pilot program in which 25 donated cell phones from Verizon Wireless will be given to at-risk individuals with physical or cognitive disabilities or other physical limitations. Under the three-month program, which begins Aug. 3, the cell phones would be “locked out,” allowing users to only dial DART customer service and 911 in the event of an emergency.
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Paratransit ridership 2004: 581,400 riders 2008: 850,000* riders * 32 percent increase |
Delaware Developmental Disabilities Council senior administrator Patricia L. Maichle said the pilot program, if successful, could help many persons with disabilities and elderly riders. An evaluation of the program will be reported to the House by Jan. 21.
“With these phones, a person can call and check on a bus,” Ms. Maichle said. “It will empower people to advocate for themselves right then at the moment they need it most. The pilot program will also help define and document the size of the problem and determine if this is the best way to address it.”
