HUNTERDON COUNTY: Seniors: How do you get around?

By John Tredrea, Special Writer
As we get older, getting around via automobile may not be as easy as it used to be. This is a key reason why public transportation is an important issue for senior citizens.
The Hunterdon County Department of Human Services has partnered with HART Commuter Information Services to conduct a survey of senior citizens to gather information on transportation needs.
The information will help in the future planning of the county’s LINK Transportation System and in the provision of transportation services, said Jen Shore, administrator of the county’s Department of Human Services.
"Our goal is to always be responsive to the needs of the community," Ms. Shore. "The survey will be a valuable tool to help guide our decision making."
The county’s transportation system has two primary components: a Flemington Shuffle bus that travels a fixed route with designated stops in the Flemington-Raritan area, and a cross-county on-demand service that could pick up and deliver curb to curb. Routes are created daily; calls should be made at least 24 hours in advance and speaking to a person at 800-842-0531.
Ms. Shore said the survey includes questions on seniors’ travel needs, how they’re currently meeting those needs and what transportation needs that they anticipate having within the next five years.
The survey asks the relationship of people or institution on whom seniors depend for transportation, and how affordable and reliable it is.
It also asks if people missed necessary trips because they did not have access to transportation, and, if so, how often. It tries to get an idea of times when transportation is most needed, and if people find they need transportation to out-of-county locations.
Surveys may be completed online at http://fs3.formsite.com/HARTTMA/form65/index.html
Hard copies of the survey are available for pick up at the Hunterdon County Senior Center on Route 31 in Raritan Township. Hard copies also are available at county and local libraries, municipal buildings and senior centers.
The survey may also be printed from the county website at http://www.co.hunterdon.nj.us/pdf/aging/2014/SrCitizenTransportationSurvey.pdf . A copy of the survey can also be obtained by calling HART Commuter Information Services at 908-788-5553.
Surveys should be mailed to, or dropped off at, the Hunterdon County Senior Center, 4 Gauntt Place, Building No. 1, P.O. Box 2900, Flemington, N.J. 08822-2900.