SUNBURY -- Northumberland County is possibly the only county in Pennsylvania that doesn't charge its senior citizens for transportation, according to its Area Agency on Aging director.
But that may soon change.
The county agency on aging will seek commissioners' approval Tuesday to begin charging seniors who get rides from the county's transportation department, agency director Pat Rumberger said Wednesday.
The agency has always covered its transportation costs, but with the state's contribution to the aging office remaining "flat" for the past eight years, and with fuel costs increasing, it may be time to pass some of the bill on to seniors, she said.
"I know (senior citizens) are on a fixed income," Rumberger said. "This isn't something anyone's happy about. Just as fiscal woes are hitting everybody, it's certainly touching the aging office."
The charges would not be substantial, Rumberger said. Rides between seniors' homes and any of the county's 11 senior centers would continue to be free, while rides originating at a senior center to other destinations would be $1 for a one-way trip and $2 round trip.
All other rides would be subject to the transportation department's rates, which are based on distance. For example, a ride from Sunbury to Williamsport and back would be $43, she said. However, seniors 65 and older have to pay only 15 percent of the fare through the state's Shared Ride program, which reimburses the transportation department for 85 percent of the cost of the program.
So a trip from Sunbury to Williamsport and back would cost $6.50. Those under 65 -- the agency offers rides only to those 60 and older -- would pay the full amount, Rumberger said.
In the past fiscal year, which ended June 30, the aging office spent almost $149,000 on transportation, and a couple years before that it spent $175,000, Rumberger said.
The money raised from charging for rides would fund other aging office programs and primarily get seniors off waiting lists for various services like adult day care and home-delivered meals.
County senior citizens on Wednesday didn't seem to be overly concerned about the prospect of having to pay for transportation -- as long as the price is right.
Helen Boardman said she uses the transportation every week to get rides to the senior center, restaurants, shopping or appointments.
"If they keep prices low and decent, I'll still ride," she said. "I understand things are rough and it needs to be done. ... We depend on it. I wouldn't get there otherwise. If you don't have a vehicle, it's a wonderful thing."
Boardman, 86, a resident of River Front Apartments on South Front Street, said she hasn't had her car for 10 to 15 years, and enjoys riding in the county vans.
"You get to know the people and the drivers," she said. "I have a good time."
Her friend, Vickie Mero, 64, said she also will probably still ride, but it will depend on the prices.
"How else would we get to the (senior) center?" she asked.
Mero said she has a caregiver, but that person is unable to go every day with her. That's when she relies on the county van.
Rumberger said she plans to present the agency's proposal to county commissioners at their meeting at 1 p.m. Tuesday.
Commissioners said they had no comment because they haven't seen the agency's proposal yet.
n E-mail comments to rscott@dailyitem.com. Staff reporter Gina Morton contributed to this story.
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Free ride is over for seniors in Northumberland County
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