The Milan News-Leader
A Heritage Newspaper
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Bus service for seniors now offered
Milan Senior Cruiser a free bus service available to take senior citizens to center
By Sue G. Collins, Staff Writer
PUBLISHED: January 8, 2009
Photo by Sue G. Collins
Frank Fulcher is the driver of the Milan Senior Cruiser van, a free service for residents in the city of Milan, age 50 and older. Fulcher will pick up residents at 9 a.m. and take them to the senior center, with a return trip at 1:30 p.m. Call 439-4310 with 48-hours notice to schedule a ride to the senior center.
On Monday, Frank Fulcher started a new job. He is the driver of the Milan Senior Cruiser, a free bus service now available to transport senior citizens living in the city of Milan to and from the Milan Senior and Community Activity Center three days a week.
"We're still ironing out the wrinkles," Fulcher said from the center Monday morning. "We're hoping a lot more people find out about the bus."
Fulcher had just one passenger Monday on the maiden voyage of the 20-passenger bus service.
The Milan Senior Cruiser will run each week, Monday, Wednesday and Thursday, with morning pick-ups starting at 9 a.m. The bus will drop off passengers at the center for activities, lunch and socializing. Then Fulcher will return at 1:30 p.m. to collect seniors and take them home.
The service was funded by grants from two community groups. The Greater Milan Area Community Foundation awarded the program a $2,000 grant in September and the Milan Community Council matched that amount to launch the service this week.
"It has been a problem since Milan Transit went out of business," said Milan Senior Citizen Program Coordinator Jennifer Michalak, who said most seniors previously depended on family and friends for transportation if they were unable to drive themselves to classes and activities at the center, located on Neckel Court.
"Now, I'm hoping the new bus will allow more people to take advantage of the great programs here," she said.
Two buses, one carrying 15 and one accommodating 20 passengers, were donated to the senior center by Milan Transit when the company went out of business in 2007. The larger bus is handicapped-accessible, so everyone can be accommodated.
"We just ask that people call with 48-hours notice to schedule a ride and let us know their specific needs so we can send the right bus," Michalak said.
The service is free, but a donation is suggested to help continue to fund the program. Michalak is hoping for another $1,000 in donations to make up the balance of the transportation budget, totaling $5,000.
Fulcher is happy to be behind the wheel again. He drove for Milan Transit for eight years in Saline and Milan after retiring from General Motors after 17 years.
To make a reservation for a ride to the Milan Senior and Community Activity Center on Monday, Wednesday or Thursday mornings, call 439-4310 at least two days in advance. The service is available for residents 50 years or older living in the city limits.
Staff Writer Sue G. Collins can be reached at 429-7380 or scollins@heritage.com.
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