For seniors who have given up driving, whether it be for health reasons or financial constraints, finding transportation can be difficult – especially so for seniors who live in suburban and rural areas that have little or no public transportation.

Project Connect is a free telephone information service that helps seniors anywhere in Monroe County figure out what transportation options are available to them. Project Connect supplies information on the cost, location, hours of service, and the accessibility of local agencies and businesses that provide transportation.

Specific to rural Monroe County (Brockport, Churchville, Clarkson, Hamlin, Hilton, Ogden, Parma, Riga, Sweden and Spencerport) is Connect-A-Ride, a subsidized taxi service for the elderly and disabled. Eligible residents who meet HUD low-income guidelines and have no other transportation available can purchase low-cost coupons for taxi rides within the county. The ride coupons can be used for anything – appointments, entertainment, shopping, church services, visiting friends and families. The cost of a round-trip ride coupon is $6, regardless of the distance traveled within the county.

Project Connect, which is funded by Monroe County, the City of Rochester, Rochester Regional Transportation Authority and the United Way, is trying to reach out to elderly and disabled residents who may be unaware of the help available because of communication problems. Hearing loss, vision loss, or English language barriers may prevent some seniors from learning about transportation options, according to Project Connect Coordinator Karen James.

"We help people that have mobility problems get to where they need to go," James said. "But we have to recognize that some of these people may also have communication problems that prevent them from accessing the help that we have to offer."

James visited the Sweden Senior Center on January 11 to talk about the program face-to-face with seniors. She has also been visiting senior apartment complexes like Hamlin Terrace to get the word out about Project Connect and Connect-A-Ride.

Although James does not act as an official liaison between volunteer groups that provide some transportation services and potential clients, she is aware of the volunteer programs and can point seniors to those opportunities, too.

With a $50,000 annual budget, Connect-A-Ride has limited capabilities; however, James said there is not a waiting list at the current time.

For more information about Project Connect or Connect-A-Ride, call James at 288-4099, Monday through Friday.