Richmond rides for seniors get regular schedule
By DIANA SROKA - dsroka@nwherald.com
RICHMOND – Since Richmond Township launched its senior bus program several years ago, older residents have known that they’ll have a ride to the grocery store or to doctor appointments.
Now, they’ll know exactly when these rides will happen.
The Senior Transportation Program recently was overhauled and now follows a more rigid schedule, which township officials said will streamline the program and decrease its operating costs.
“We spent a lot of money on our transportation department, ... approximately one-third of the township [budget],” said Adam Metz, who was elected to the Richmond Township supervisor position this spring. He said he wanted all township programs to be “fiscally responsible.”
Previously, seniors could call the township offices and schedule a time to be picked up individually and driven wherever they needed to go, within a certain radius. A donation for each way of the trip was suggested.
The program now follows a more regular schedule. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, seniors are picked up at their homes from 9:15 to 10:15 a.m. so they can participate in exercise and water aerobics programs. Wednesdays are errand days, when seniors are driven to shops within township limits – such as the bank, the grocery store or post office – between 9 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. And Fridays are McHenry Shopping Day, when seniors can visit any stores in the shopping area along Route 31 or at the Jewel on Route 120.
“It’s more regimented this way, and I think, in the long run it will save us money,” said Kay Thomas, the senior transportation coordinator.
The program is open to residents in Richmond and Burton townships who are older than 55.
The township requests clients pay $2 for round-trip rides to Richmond, Spring Grove and Genoa City, Wis.; $3 for trips to Johnsburg and Wonder Lake; and then steeper fees for trips to Crystal Lake or Burlington, Wis., among other towns.
However, Thomas said, seniors wouldn’t be denied service if they couldn’t afford to pay.
“It’s absolutely phenomenal that we could share and help our senior citizens and handicapped people,” said Silo Ruscheinski, Burton Township supervisor. “They provide door-to-door service, and it’s by far better than anything out there. By far.”
Ruscheinski estimated that about 10 or 12 Burton Township residents used the service monthly.
In Richmond Township, Metz said, the program provides about 1,100 rides a quarter.
If seniors have a doctor appointment or need to pick up a prescription, they can make an appointment anytime between 9 a.m and 4 p.m. daily and they’ll be driven within a 20-mile perimeter of the township.
“Our main focus is to make sure seniors are able to get to things like dialysis and doctors’ appointments,” Metz said.
