In partnership with the city of Irvine and the county of Orange, OCTA hosted a Senior Transportation Forum on Friday, July 26 at Irvine’s Lakeview Senior Center.
Led by OCTA Director and Irvine Mayor Pro Tem Jeff Lalloway and Assemblyman Don Wagner, participants received an overview of transportation options for seniors. The event featured a panel discussion on how different programs work as well how to sign up.
Sheila Driscoll with the city of Irvine provided an explanation of the city’s TRIPS program and Kathy Reza and Ericka Danczak from Orange County’s Office on Aging provided participants an overview of the Senior Non-Emergency Transportation Program. Dana Wiemiller, OCTA’s Community Transportation Manager, discussed OCTA’s ACCESS and Senior Mobility Program.
The Senior Mobility Program (SMP) is designed to fill the gap between local fixed-route buses and ADA paratransit, or ACCESS service, by providing local transportation services to seniors in participating cities in Orange County. Under the program, participating cities are eligible to receive funds and vehicles from OCTA to help design and operate a transit program that best fits the needs of older adults in their communities.
During the panel discussion, participants asked questions ranging from eligibility and service to how each program is funded and left with a better understanding of what mobility options Orange County seniors have.
