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Old station holds key for carpool program
(by Joan Demirjian - October 29, 2008)
Old station holds key for carpool program
By JOAN DEMIRJIAN
Russell Trustees learned last week about the Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency's Ride Share program and the Geauga Transit program.
Trustee James Dickinson said they invited representatives of the programs to the township meeting in an effort to become informed on how to enhance carpooling and commuting by township residents.
Two years ago, the township bought the former BP gas-station site at the northeast corner of Chillicothe (Route 306) and Kinsman (Route 87) roads. The building was taken down, and the property was landscaped with a gravel parking lot.
Jack Gallagher, township maintenance supervisor, has suggested that the central site be used for carpooling, Mr. Dickinson said.
"We've been looking at how best to use it," he said of the parcel. "We need to provide more services as the population ages. This is a preliminary effort, and we're looking at possibilities."
Mr. Dickinson said he travels to work in Cleveland each day. He is often in lines of traffic, "and we're all going to the same place and in one car each," he said.
Colleen Donnelly, transportation planner for NOACA, said the township has been helpful in placing Ride Share information on the township's Web site. Russell is a bedroom community, and residents travel outside the township for work purposes, she said.
"We stress carpooling to cut down on traffic congestion, air pollution and highway maintenance," Ms. Donnelly said.
Those interested in carpooling can enter information on the Ride Share Web site and obtain a list of matches. They can then contact those people to make arrangements to share rides to and from work, she said.
The program even offers a guaranteed ride home if the driver cannot provide the ride back that day, Ms. Donnelly said. Those participating in a carpool usually arrange their own parking locations. There are no requirements for parking areas, she said.
The township's lot could be placed on the Web site as a carpool location. The information also could be left at locations in the township, including the post office, Ms. Donnelly said.
She said there are 85 people registered in the Ride Share program who live in or close to Russell.
Trustees also learned about Geauga Transit. It is a little-known resource in the county, Mr. Dickinson said.
Kristina Fenselon, of Geauga Transit, said the service is for any county resident, but most are senior citizens or disabled.
The bus transports residents to senior centers and doctor appointments. The drivers help people on the bus and with their items, she said. "It's personal, because it is mainly elderly and the disabled. We see the need, and that's what we provide." It also provides rides for Amish women going to work, she said.
"It's one of the highly valuable and little-known services in Geauga County," said Russell Trustee James Mueller, a former Geauga County Commissioner.
"We take one woman to a nursing home, so she can spend time with her husband," Ms. Fenselon said. "We feel good about what we do."
Drivers are alert to anything unusual around the houses of elderly riders, including a build-up of newspapers, Ms. Fenselon said. "It is the extra things we do just because we have the best drivers ever."
Following the meeting, Mr. Dickinson said the information on the former BP station site as a carpooling parking area will be placed on the township's Web site. "We ought to encourage our residents to use it," he said.
There is space for 16 vehicles to park there.
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