CARTA Brings Care-A-Van Service to East Ridge Citizens
Starting September 1, CARTA will bring their Care-A-Van service to East Ridge for qualifying seniors age 65 and older and disabled citizens. This curb-to-curb service will take citizens to anywhere in East Ridge and the Chattanooga City Limits. An application must be filled out and submitted to CARTA for pre-approval before scheduling a ride. Application can be picked up at both the City Hall Reception Desk and the East Ridge Library.
Several months ago, the City partnered with CARTA to hold public meetings and an online survey to see what services the citizens would most like to see come to East Ridge. Currently, CARTA runs a connector route through parts of the city with grant funds that CARTA received through the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) program, a federally funded grant, which runs through the summer of 2018. East Ridge is in the process of applying for CMAQ funds to not only pay for the Care-A-Van program, but an on-demand program that will cover the remaining citizens of the city that do not qualify for Care-A-Van.
“The City has had many calls over the years for ride services to accommodate our aging and disabled population,” Mayor Brent Lambert said. “The Citizens spoke and we listened. We appreciate CARTA’s willingness to work with the City to come up with a solution that was affordable for everyone involved.” Riders who use the Care-A-Van program will be responsible for paying $2.50 for a one-way ride, or $5 for a round trip. The City will pick up the additional costs of $7.50 for a one-way ride or $15 for a round trip for a total cost of $20 round trip.
City Manager Scott Miller wanted this to be a continuing program, so he proposed in the FY 2018 budget a startup expense of $30,000, which would provide 1,500 round trip rides. “Because this is a new program and not being able to predict how many citizens will utilize this program, we had to start somewhere,” City Manager Miller said. “Once we have a year’s worth of data, we can adjust the budget to meet the demand. We want to make sure this program is paid for now and in the future.”
Citizens can contact the Care-A-Van office at (423)698-9038 to ask questions and get more information. This will be the same number that riders will call to schedule a trip. The City will also have information posted to their website at www.eastridgetn.gov.
BASIC PROGRAM INFORMATION:
- Program starts September 1, 2017
- Potential users must fill out an application form and be approved through CARTA prior to booking a trip. Forms may be picked up at the East Ridge City Hall Reception Desk or the East Ridge Library during their normal operating hours. Forms can be turned in to the City at those locations or mailed directly to CARTA at the address provided on the forms.
- Cost is 2.50 for a one-way trip or $5 for a round trip ride
- For questions or to set up a ride once approved, contact CARTA’s Care-A-Van service at (423)698-9038
Philip Pugliese
Transportation System Planner
Chattanooga Area Regional Transportation Authority
1617 Wilcox Blvd
Chattanooga, TN 37406
O: 423.424.1348
M: 423.322.1489