Decatur To Begin Testing Seniors Shuttle Program Between Decatur and Oakhurst
Decatur Metro | February 21, 2013Decatur City Commissioner Patti Garrett’s latest newsletter is an embarrassment of copy-and-paste riches! Let’s start here…
The City of Decatur is implementing a pilot shuttle program on Wednesdays for Oakhurst residents age 60 and older to downtown Decatur thanks to a mini-grant from the Georgia Department of Human Services Division of Aging Services. The shuttle will have a trial run on March 6 and will officially begin March 13 in partnership with DeKalb County Human Development Department, which already has successful Golden Shuttles in Toco Hills, Chamblee and South DeKalb. Several shuttle stops in Oakhurst will allow residents to come to downtown Decatur commercial district to take advantage of services, such as grocery stores, pharmacies, medical and dental offices, public library, and government offices. It will provide access to entertainment and cultural opportunities at the Decatur Recreation Center, as well as on the square.
The shuttle is one of the projects in the process of being implemented based on input for the 2010 Strategic Plan and senior citizen focus groups. Decatur is establishing itself as one of the Atlanta Regional Commission’s Lifelong Communities. A key component to a Lifelong Community is the ability for residents to Age in Place. The shuttle will be adapted based on riders’ input on shuttle stop locations. Riders can register at www.decturga.com/lifelong-community or pick up a registration form at Decatur City Hall. For further information or to have a registration form sent to you, contact Lee Ann Harvey at leeann.harvey@decaturga.com or 678-553-6548.
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Great idea! As a future senior, this effort, and the bicycle rental/share ideas, are the types of activities that would keep me from leaving Decatur once the children are all out of the nest. As someone who cannot wait to transition from home/yard/dangerous tree ownership to carefree condo/townhouse/apt. life, the choice will be between exciting anywhere in the country and friends/family in good old Decatur. The more Decatur feels like community, family, friendship, sharing, responsible citizens, good neighbors, aging-in-place-friendly etc., the more likely we’d be to stay.
It would be nice if this shuttle went on to Emory. Could it even be an extension of the Emory-Decatur CCTMA route?
There is only one van and it has limited hours. At this point, extending the route may not make sense as it would limit the number of rounds the shuttle could make in the short time window.
Mayor Baskett was at the last Oakhurst Neighborhood Association meeting and this came up. The reason they chose Wednesday had a lot to do with it being senior day at Kroger and I believe something to do with concerts downtown.
It’s the lunchtime Blue Sky Concert series sponsored by the DBA. The Decatur Farmer’s Market is another shopping opportunity that was factored in.
I’m so thrilled about this happening! MAJOR PROPS to Lyn Menne and Lee Ann Harvey for all their hard work to make it happen! :0)
It’s a start, anyway, and a welcome one. Hopefully this will get people to think more seriously about more general shuttle service in Decatur, as well as a more comprehensive alternative transportation plan.
+1
Great idea!
I still think it would be cool if we could build a skyway between Oakhurst Village and the Square, that way commuters could have a scenic view of all of the backyard chicken coops, kitchen gardens, soccer nets, and firepits along the way.
“I still think it would be cool if we could build a skyway between Oakhurst Village and the Square…”
Now that is something I would pay money to ride!