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EAST LIVERPOOL -- Officials with the Community Action Agency of Columbiana County, its CARTS and Mobility Management program, are calling a new, affordable shuttle service that begins this Monday a new way to "Make the Connection."
This pilot program will serve the East Liverpool-Calcutta area, and harkens back to the busing services offered in the area decades ago, according to Tom Andrews, CAA of CC's CEO.
"CAA's CARTS has been running rural transit since 1983, and early in our history we ran a deviated route in the East Liverpool area. And with the onset of a study with the county's mobility manager and CARTS, we are once again trying to meet the needs in East Liverpool and Calcutta to make the connection," Andrews said.
He added the program was primarily put in place to enhance the quality of life for the area's disabled, low-income and senior citizens, but noted, "the Making the Connection Shuttle is for everyone!"
The Office of Mobility Management identified the need for additional types of transportation for the county through the Coordinated Transportation Plan. Hill worked in collaboration with Shari Green, transportation director with the Columbiana Area Rural Transit System, and developed the new Make the Connection Shuttle route.
"This new route is a forward-thinking approach to transportation in Columbiana County and part of a larger transportation plan for the county," Hill said. "The Make the Connection Shuttle service has three main positive benefits: It will significantly improve the quality of life options for seniors, disabled persons and low-income individuals and families; it will help provide very affordable transportation to and from work places; and it will have a positive economic benefit for the local communities. It is a win-win-win for all parties, but especially for the people who live in, work in or visit the East Liverpool and Calcutta area."
Funding for the shuttle has been provided through an Ohio Department of Transportation grant to the CAA of CC.
The shuttle's 90-minute regular route includes 13 stops, with the shuttle running from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. weekdays. The route begins at Todd Sparkle Market, 1616 Pennsylvania Ave., East End, and then travels to Woodland Hills, 417 Wilbert Ave.; downtown East Liverpool Giant Eagle, 619 Bradshaw Ave.; Hot Dog Shoppe, 320 Market St.; East Liverpool City Hall, 126 W. 6th St.; Fawcett Apartments, 325 Moore St.; Heights Manor, 325 N. Shadylane Drive; Wal-Mart plaza, 16280 Dresden Ave.; Calcutta Woods Apartments, 15172 Sprucevale Road; Highlands Apartments, 15511 Summit Drive; Calcutta YMCA, 15655 state Route 170; Aldi's, 15849 state Route 170; and Calcutta Giant Eagle Plaza, 15937 state Route 170.
Exact cash only is accepted for fares, which are $1 each time a rider boards the shuttle for ages 12 and up. Senior citizens and those with a disability pay 50 cents for each boarding (prior approval is required for the reduced fare). Children between the ages of 5 and 12 years old also are 50 cents per boarding. Children under age 5 ride free with an adult fare. Reduced fare applications are available on the shuttle, on CARTS vehicles or by calling the shuttle information line at (330) 385-6666.
Requested, scheduled deviations for a location within three-quarter mile of the fixed route, but not listed on the point deviation list, must be scheduled with an advanced notice of at least 24 hours and are double the standard fare. They can be scheduled using the shuttle information line.
Point deviation stops listed in the Shuttle Book are allowed at no additional charge and do not need to be schedule in advance, according to Hill, who explained the allowed point deviations are mainly banking, educational, shopping or food establishments near the fixed route.
"We are trying to make life easier and more enjoyable by providing convenient, affordable access to those places people most need or want to visit in the service area," she said.
An example would be to deviate to the Calcutta post office between the Calcutta YMCA and the Aldi's stops. The deviations are listed in the Shuttle Book and can be found online. Anyone needing a Shuttle Book can call the shuttle information line listed above or Mobility Management at (330) 870-4345.
Officials also noted the shuttle is wheelchair accessible, and all child safety seats, which must be provided by the adult accompanying the child, must be properly secured. Rides will be refused for children without the proper safety seat. Children ages 4 through 8 may use either a booster seat, properly secured, or sit directly on the bus seat with the lap belt provided.
There will be no stops after 9 p.m. at the Hot Dog Shoppe, East Liverpool City Hall and any Calcutta locations besides Wal-Mart and Giant Eagle, according to Hill.
The complete route schedule will be posted at every stop and published in newspapers, and those interested in the new shuttle service may call (330) 385-6666 during regular business hours.
Officials said grocery bags and service animals are welcome on the shuttle, however they are not to be left on the vehicle nor will the driver help you transport them on or off the shuttle.
According to Green, some shelters already in place from fixed routes in East Liverpool will be utilized with the Making the Connection service.
East Liverpool Mayor Ryan Stovall's office has scheduled a formal ribbon-cutting event at 10 a.m. on July 11 in front of city hall in observance of the shuttle service. The public is welcome to attend.
This pilot project will continue through the end of 2019, according to Andrews. At that time, an analysis will be done to determine if the program has been successful, and it if has, the program will continue, he noted.
For more information concerning the shuttle and its stops, deviation stops and scheduling, see the CAA of CC's website at www.caaofcc.org or call the shuttle information line.