EDISON – Edison recently unveiled a new minivan designed to service the township’s senior citizen population. The van, a Chevy Uplander, is specially built to accommodate people in wheelchairs through a manual wheelchair ramp for easy entry and exit.
The van will join the township’s fleet of 13 buses in transporting senior citizens to and from club meetings, shopping centers, doctors’ offices and other destinations. It is able to accommodate up to two wheelchairs and three ambulatory individuals, as well as a driver. Unlike the buses in the fleet, the driver does not need a commercial driver’s license, which will allow for more flexibility in staffing drivers.
Edison Mayor Jun Choi underscored the need that local senior citizens have for this sort of van.
“This new vehicle will be used to transport our seniors to dialysis and various other treatments. Edison residents who are living with chronic, debilitating diseases have the greatest need for this type of vehicle,” said Choi.
According to township spokesman Jerry Barca, the van cost about $35,000 from the township’s capital budget. The vehicle gets 16 miles per gallon, a better mileage than the buses, which get about 10. A statement released by the township touted the manual ramp as a way to save money, since it will not require costly repairs that a hydraulic ramp might.
“Having this minivan enables us to expand service and, at the same time, save taxpayer dollars,” said Choi.
The Edison Senior Citizen Center provides curb-to-curb transportation services, free-of-charge, to Edison seniors who have no other means of transportation. Senior citizens are brought to and from senior club meetings, shopping malls, as well as medical, dialysis, and nutrition appointments.
In 2007 the Edison Senior Citizen Transportation Service provided 33,254 trips and logged a total of 42,000 miles on the bus fleet. Excluding the Uplander, the township owns 13 buses that can accommodate between eight and 33 passengers each.
This service is not available to seniors who have a car, are currently driving or have other means of transportation such as a spouse or family member. But should a medical condition prevent an individual from getting behind the wheel for a limited amount of time, they are eligible for transportation until such time that their physician allows them to drive themselves.
Transportation to club meetings, shopping, nutrition and medical appointments are offered Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. by appointment or preregistration. Transportation services are provided “curb to curb.” Drivers are not permitted to assist any rider beyond the curb, enter the home, assist with ambulation, unlock doors or carry personal items. Drivers do not accompany passengers into the medical office or building.
For more information, call (732) 248- 7345.