Low cost senior transportation is offered in Southwick through the FRTA and a volunteer program. (Photo by Hope E. Tremblay)
SOUTHWICK – The Council on Aging could have expanded transportation options for its participants in the future.
Select Board Chairman Russell Fox said this week that he and Chief Administrative Officer Karl Stinehart met with COA Director Cindy Sullivan and a representative of the Pioneer Valley Transit Authority to discuss options.
“We are looking at bringing more services to Southwick that might be provided by PVTA,” said Fox.
The COA currently uses the Franklin Regional Transit Authority to provide some transportation services to the town’s senior citizens through the COA. The FRTA representative could not attend the meeting, said Fox.
RUSSELL FOX
Fox said the town is able to utilize two different transit authorities.
“No decisions have been made,” Fox said. “The COA was receptive to additional services, but this is the very beginning of discussions.”
Fox noted that the COA currently schedules transportation for seniors with FRTA and if the PVTA offers services, seniors would likely schedule their own rides.
“The Select Board and COA are always interested in what the needs of our growing senior population are,” said Sullivan. “There are multiple slow steps and it may lead to changes or keeping services the same.”
