City targets more free rides for seniors
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By Robbie Dingeman
Advertiser Staff Writer
City officials are continuing to expand free van service across the island to help people get around during the bus strike, now in its fourth week.
Here are some transportation options for senior citizens: • Senior City Van: 523-4545, www.co.honolulu.hi.us/ • HandiVan: For an application, call a satellite city hall or 523-4083. $2 each way. • HandiCab: 524-3866. $10 flat rate and $2.40 per mile. • CNA Senior Transport: 735-9500. For people who need hospital dialysis treatments. Rates vary. • American Cancer Society: 595-7544. Helps cancer patients. • Malama Lima Handi-Trans: 226-0109. • Medi-cab (Charley's Taxi): 531-1333. $2.25 plus 30 cents per eighth-mile. Other fees may apply. • Catholic Charities Elderly Services: 595-0077. For people 60 and older. Donation or share cost. Source: City & County of Honolulu
City Managing Director Ben Lee said about 80 senior citizens rode new van routes yesterday to go shopping, and another 40 used them for medical appointments.
Senior wheels
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City spokeswoman Carol Costa said the city is adding community shuttles, vans for senior citizens to get to clinics and hospitals, and programs to transport people to senior community centers.
"These programs are being designed for those who really do not have other options," she said.
Before the strike, one in four bus riders was a senior citizen, Lee said.
Costa said city officials are putting out the word that some local pharmacies will refill prescriptions by mail. He said the city rented nearly 90 vans, is using some city vehicles, and may add as many as 20 vans in coming days. The only hurdle is finding willing drivers with good driving records and training them for the routes.
Lee encourages passengers to use the service between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. to avoid peak traffic. He expects to see more demand for service to Honolulu hospitals as people find out about it.
Beginning today, American Savings Bank will operate two vans each in Wahiawa and Mililani to shuttle people to shopping and medical appointments, Lee said.
Late last week, the city added shuttle vans circulating in Kane'ohe about an hour apart, with stops at senior housing, Straub at Windward Mall, Kaiser's Kane'ohe Clinic, Castle Medical Center and Windward City Shopping Center. Another shuttle in Kailua circulates between the professional building, Straub Family Center, Daiei, Kaiser's Kailua Clinic and Castle Medical Center.
The city also is picking up riders at nine senior housing facilities, Lee said, and those who board the vans he drives are very grateful for the help. Without the bus, he said, "they were kind of homebound."
Lee said rider surveys showed some senior citizens ride the bus several times a day to go to the store, restaurants, doctor appointments and to meet friends.
He said the city also is considering adding shuttles for three new runs, between downtown and Salt Lake, Kailua and Waimanalo.
Reach Robbie Dingeman at rdingeman@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-2429.
Correction: The fare for a Medi-cab ride is $2.25 plus 30 cents per eighth-mile, and other fees may apply. A chart with a previous version of this story listed an incorrect rate.
