MIDDLEBURY — The Vermont Agency of Transportation is developing a statewide transit trip planner tool to help people find their way around Vermont. The travelling public is invited to participate in the development of this tool by attending a local info and feedback session. Addison County’s session will be hosted at ACTR’s 297 Creek Road offices, between 6 and 8:00 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 17.
Flexible Trip Planner (FTP) goes beyond the capabilities of Google Trip Planner, which is currently available on several local transit websites, including actr-vt.org. It highlights bus flag down zones that are served in addition to published stops. FTP also provides information about door to door Dial-A-Ride services for those who cannot access bus routes.
Dial-A-Ride (DAR) services are for people for whom regular bus service does not work. Nearly 40 Volunteer Drivers work with ACTR to provide these door to door rides. Those aged 60 and over or living with a disability are eligible for several free trips each month for diverse quality of life purposes. Riders covered by Medicaid or Reach Up may be covered for specific free rides. DAR serves these groups now and FTP would make them available to the general public as a fee-based service.
There is space available at ACTR for 15 community “alpha-testers.” RSVP to ACTR at 802-388-2287 or [email protected]. Transportation is available, and may be requested by contacting ACTR anytime, but only guaranteed if by Nov. 14.