High gas prices have caused a local nonprofit transportation agency to ask patrons to help fill the tank.
Jill Connor / The Citizen
Dick Powers, a Scat Van driver, helps Georgio Giacona off the van so he can go to his physical therapy at Carey and Daley Physical Therapy in Auburn with the help of escort Donna Passarello on Wednesday afternoon.
Dick Powers, a Scat Van driver, helps Georgio Giacona off the van so he can go to his physical therapy at Carey and Daley Physical Therapy in Auburn with the help of escort Donna Passarello on Wednesday afternoon.
The Senior Citizen's Aid to Transportation (SCAT) Van, a free countywide transportation provider for disabled and senior citizens, was forced to increase its recommended donation from $3 a day for an inner-city trip to $3 each way to cope with rising gas prices.
Kathy Shutter, executive director for Cayuga County's Transportation Project, which provides SCAT Vans in Auburn, Cato, Moravia, Weedsport and Union Springs, said the program received $21,900 in donations and spent $23,000 on fuel expenses in 2007, when gas was nearly 70 cents a gallon cheaper than it is now.
“We are just trying to keep our head above water,” Shutter said. “We are trying to do more fundraisers and asking for more money as we need it. The last thing we want to do is cut services.”
SCAT could be forced to use one van in an area instead of two, or offer vans on four days of the week instead of five in an attempt to save money by conserving gas.
“With less service and availability, (senior citizens) wouldn't be able to make appointments without added financial burdens for a cab or something,” Shutter said.
A senior citizen's independent lifestyle could suffer as a result of diminished service, Shutter said.
“People who have been living in Sterling for 50 years might have to sell their home and move into an adult health care facility in Auburn in order to be closer to the medical facilities they need,” Shutter said. “People in the city will have to rely on the bus system ,which might cost them an additional $1.50 to get a taxi to the bus stop.”
Dick Powers, a volunteer SCAT driver, said SCAT, which does receive funding from state, county and local municipalities in addition to Auburn's Community Development Block Grant, has seen a positive reaction from riders regarding the donation.
“We take them anywhere and everywhere for free,” Powers said. “We used to ask for a single $3 dollar donation but now we ask for a donation each way. We have some people who pay the donation and we have others who are really bad off and can't afford it, but still try to do what they can.”
But donations can only take a SCAT Van, which has a fuel economy of six to seven miles per gallon, so far.
Powers said his van received $249.50 in donations last month but spent $407.54 on gas.
Maggie Kahl, a former SCAT van patron who used the service when she needed to travel to the doctor's office, said she would gladly pay any recommended donation. “I had health problems and had to visit the doctor 33 times,” Kahl said. “I wasn't going to ask a friend to take me and somebody told me I should call (SCAT). For 33 days they treated me like a queen. Everyday I would make a donation and if I ever use them again I will be glad to pay whatever I can.”
Kathy Shutter, executive director for Cayuga County's Transportation Project, which provides SCAT Vans in Auburn, Cato, Moravia, Weedsport and Union Springs, said the program received $21,900 in donations and spent $23,000 on fuel expenses in 2007, when gas was nearly 70 cents a gallon cheaper than it is now.
“We are just trying to keep our head above water,” Shutter said. “We are trying to do more fundraisers and asking for more money as we need it. The last thing we want to do is cut services.”
SCAT could be forced to use one van in an area instead of two, or offer vans on four days of the week instead of five in an attempt to save money by conserving gas.
“With less service and availability, (senior citizens) wouldn't be able to make appointments without added financial burdens for a cab or something,” Shutter said.
A senior citizen's independent lifestyle could suffer as a result of diminished service, Shutter said.
“People who have been living in Sterling for 50 years might have to sell their home and move into an adult health care facility in Auburn in order to be closer to the medical facilities they need,” Shutter said. “People in the city will have to rely on the bus system ,which might cost them an additional $1.50 to get a taxi to the bus stop.”
Dick Powers, a volunteer SCAT driver, said SCAT, which does receive funding from state, county and local municipalities in addition to Auburn's Community Development Block Grant, has seen a positive reaction from riders regarding the donation.
“We take them anywhere and everywhere for free,” Powers said. “We used to ask for a single $3 dollar donation but now we ask for a donation each way. We have some people who pay the donation and we have others who are really bad off and can't afford it, but still try to do what they can.”
But donations can only take a SCAT Van, which has a fuel economy of six to seven miles per gallon, so far.
Powers said his van received $249.50 in donations last month but spent $407.54 on gas.
Maggie Kahl, a former SCAT van patron who used the service when she needed to travel to the doctor's office, said she would gladly pay any recommended donation. “I had health problems and had to visit the doctor 33 times,” Kahl said. “I wasn't going to ask a friend to take me and somebody told me I should call (SCAT). For 33 days they treated me like a queen. Everyday I would make a donation and if I ever use them again I will be glad to pay whatever I can.”
The Citizens' Say
There are 2 comment(s)
britt_bort wrote on May 16, 2008 11:59 AM:
melinda@neal.us wrote on May 16, 2008 9:57 AM:
in rural Cayuga County. They both rely on the SCAT van for transportation. I live in another state, unable to assist them. They sing your praises!! I personally can't begin to thank your drivers enough for all the help & kindness they show my parents. Again, Thank yALL of you so very much. You need all the donations you can get. Melinda (Leonti) & Ron Neal - Texas "