By Charles W. Kim, Managing Editor
A two-day transportation forum sponsored by the Aging in Place Partnership will be held early next month, according to organizer Jacqueline Rubel.
The forum, initially set for earlier this month was postponed following Hurricane Irene, and will now take place at the Public Works Building on Oct. 3-4.
Ms. Rubel said that the forum, discussing improvements to mass transportation and other related issues is not just for seniors, but also for those that do not have a vehicle to get around.
The group has been instrumental in getting Middlesex County bus service into Dayton along the Route 130 corridor, Mayor Frank Gambatese said during a recent Township Council meeting.
The group is currently exploring many different alternatives for transportation including expanded bus service and volunteer driver programs to help residents move around the community.
A similar forum last spring was a huge success and started the discussion the group is now following up on with local, county and state officials, according to Ms. Rubel.
The group, Ms. Rubel said, was initially founded so that senior residents could stay in their home community of South Brunswick and "age in place" rather than moving to a senior development in another community.
In addition to representing people in the 50-plus age range, the non-profit organization also works with a variety of partners in both public and private organizations to help people become educated consumers and to empower people, according to the organization.
Some of the partners include, the South Brunswick schools, the library, the YMCA, Princeton University Medical Center, the Dayton Village Citizens Coalition, Amboy Bank, Brunswick Mobility Mall, and Gloria Nilson Realtors, among others.
The organization looks to help people that are interested in housing options, maintenance, health care, creative activities, jobs or volunteering and transportation issues, according to the organization.
Some of the organization’s successes include, participating in local health fairs, bringing a blood lab to the Senior Center each month, conducting the transportation workshops, and sponsoring the Diversi-Tree event last fall.
Township spokesman Ron Schmalz said the community is currently working with New Jersey Transit to expand bus service to the southern end of the Route 1 corridor and will eventually have a bus stop on Independence Way near the Plainsboro border.
That project is being funded through grants with NJ Transit and the state.
A second Route 1 bus stop is also being considered across from Beech Woods Park on Beekman Road.
For more information on the forum or the organization, visit www.aginginplacepartnership.org or call 732-305-7079.
