Progress in Transportation for South Brunswick Seniors

On Tuesday, December 6, 2011, the South Brunswick Transportation Department will begin . 

A comprehensive guide is being developed which will provide information about all the numerous resources with which this M-1 bus will connect.  Pat Kaye, AIPP steering Committee member and Mike Ketofsky, Aging in Place PARTNERSHIP Board member have completed the M-1 shuttle bus run in both directions (Jamesburg and New Brunswick) and have developed a comprehensive overview of everything riders will find along the routes to both the destinations. 

For any questions on the M-1 or shuttle schedule stop by the Senior Center. There are fees to ride the M-1 shuttle, and exact change is required. For more information go to
http://www.co.middlesex.nj.us/awts/communityshuttle.asp

This Senior Center shuttle to the M-1 bus stop is the second giant step to be taken as AIPP continues to develop a “seamless transit” plan to help meet the transportation challenges facing South Brunswick.

“It is quite amazing how fast things are developing given our first FORUM was held in June 2011 and the County M-1 bus stop (which serves everyone in the Township regardless of age) was operational in July; while our Visioning Workshops took place October 3 and 4,” Kay said. 

The next critical piece in the planning process will kick off April 2012 when the first Community Car is projected to be operational under the guidance of Krishna Murthy, Executive Director of MeadowLink. AIPP is asking interested riders to sign up as quickly as possible and encourages individuals who are interested in serving as volunteer drivers to contact AIPP as soon as possible.

The Aging in Place PARTNERSHIP has been fortunate to have not only the leadership, energy, and enthusiasm of key steering committee members, but also the guidance and leadership provided by the Easter Seals Project Action and National Center for Senior Transportation (NCST) and the expertise of the many representatives from across the country who gave of their time and experience to help shape this Transportation planning process.

None of this would have been possible without the incredible support form the Middlesex County Director of the Department of Transportation, Steve Fittante, and the man behind the scenes who paved the way, Township Public Affairs Director, Ron Schmalz.

Both these men have served on the AIPP Transportation planning committee since its inception in early 2009, working with Dean Vlecides, Director of the then Buckingham Place, Carolyn McCallum, former Township Mayor and legislative liaison for the State Department of transportation, Karen Scalera, Executive Director for the South Brunswick Community Development Corporation and AIPP Steering Committee member and Jacque Rubel, AIPP acting director.

Our kudos extend to the Township leadership including Mayor Gambatese, Councilmen Charles Carley and John O’Sullivan, Chief of Police Raymond J. Hayducka and Ginny Phillips and the ever supportive staff Caryl Greenberg and Sue Trilli of the South Brunswick Senior Center.

For additional information, requests for the Traveler Guide for the M -1 Shuttle, to register as a rider or sign up as a volunteer driver for Community Car project contact AIPP at 32.305.7079 or AgingInPlaceAdvocate@yahoo.com.   Or check www.AgingInPlacePARTNERSHIP.org.