Rta newsletter july september 2013 final

ISSUE

09

Upcoming Events: 

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Do you have a suggestion or bright idea?

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Contact Bridget Bartlett (563-690-5761) for any suggestions or story ideas for the quarterly newsletters!

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Thursday July 4th: The RTA will be closed to recognize Independence Day Thursday July 18th: The Rural Sub Committee will meet at 9am at ECIA Wednesday July 31st: The RTA will have an all drivers meeting at 6pm at ECIA in Dubuque Tuesday August 13th: there will be a Transit Action Group meeting from 11am-1pm at ECIA on 7600 Commerce Park Monday September 2nd: The RTA will be closed in recognition of Labor Day Thursday September 5th: Bellevue drivers meeting 9:30am at the Bellevue Senior Center

7600 Commerce Park Dubuque, IA 52002 563-588-4592 1-800-839-5005

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Quarterly Journal of the RTA

RTA: News on the Go!

July through September 2013

This issue Delaware County Volunteer Driver Program P.1

Don't wait for extraordinary opportunities. Seize common occasions and make them great.

Connecting People to Life’s Destinations RTA Dubuque, Delaware and Jackson Counties

Coming Soon to Jackson County P.2 Driver Spotlight P.3 Upcoming Events P.4

Volunteer Driver Program in Delaware County

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he RTA would like to send a huge thank you to the Community Foundation of Orison Swett Marden Delaware County for their grant

donation! The RTA will use these funds to advertise and recruit volunteer drivers for a new program in Delaware County.

With this money, the RTA is able to create and distribute flyers, purchase radio advertising, create and purchase newspaper ads, conduct background checks and provide training. The ultimate goal of this program is to increase transportation options for residents by starting a volunteer driver program in Delaware County.

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Happiness resides not in possessions and not in gold; the feeling of happiness dwells in the soul.

Democritus

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer driver, call the RTA at 1800-839-5005 or visit our website at www.rta8.org to download and print a volunteer drivers handbook and application

Coming Soon to Jackson County...

RTA Learn to Ride Groups!

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he RTA received a grant from the Jackson County Community Foundation to start travel training groups throughout Jackson county! The groups will be designed to help current or new riders learn how to schedule and plan their trip, inform participants of the services the RTA offers, and hopefully create comradery among the group participants. Everyday potential passengers call the RTA asking how they can get a ride for themselves or a loved one. Trainings such as this will provide small group or individual one on one training to individuals if they have mobility challenges or basic questions regarding the RTA. Fear of change at any age is a normal reaction and individuals who are not comfortable riding public transit may feel intimidated, humiliated, or embarrassed.

Public transportation can provide freedom, independence and help maintain control of physical and mental health. People who need this course may include individuals who are new to the community, older adults who may now have a need for public transit, or individuals who already use the RTA but are challenged by navigating their trip or have questions when boarding or loading their mobility device (i.e. wheelchair or walker).

For more information or to request further assistance call the RTA at 1-800-839-5005 or look for a class in your area!

The RTA now has rider packets with information for new passengers and agencies. The packets include a rack card, Progressive Discipline Policy, weather alerts policy, and rider rules. Call the RTA if you would like a folder!

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Driver Spotlight Mary Klosterman

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ary Klosterman is one of our many drivers serving Delaware County passengers. Mary enjoys her job and is too humble to talk about what a great driver she is. Mary goes above and beyond for her passengers by carrying their groceries and assisting them in and out of their house if needed. Mary is a very conscientious driver, which her passengers appreciate, and she is always willing to help if the RTA is in a pinch and needs a driver!

When Mary is not working for the RTA, she likes to work on her house that was built in 1880, garden, and keep up with her 5 grandchildren!

Mary hopes that, if she remains healthy, she will still be working for the RTA and living in rural Worthington for the next five years. Mary is committed to her job and the passengers she serves everyday.

Thank you, Mary, for your commitment to the RTA, your community and your passengers!

The RTA will be holding travel training courses to help agencies better understand how to utilize our services! For a “Learn to Ride RTA” class, contact Bridget at 563-690-5761

Did you know…

Public transportation is available in approximately sixty percent of all rural counties nationwide, for a total of about 1,200 systems (Stommes, Brown, and Houston, 2002).

About two-thirds of rural systems operate in single counties or are city/town in scope; only about one out of four rural transit providers operate in a multi-county area. About 60 percent of rural transit providers are public bodies, and roughly a third are nonprofit agencies; only five percent are private companies or tribal entities.

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