Get signed up with BeST Transit!
Get signed up with BeST Transit!
Low-cost senior transportation option preserves independence
By Kelly Andrus
BeST Transit
Are you heading to the grocery store? Or to visit a friend you haven’t seen in awhile? Maybe you have an appointment with a doctor, or even to get your hair cut? If so, get signed up now for Senior Transit ¬ - Everyone who is age 65 and older qualifies!
It’s easy to register, make trip reservations for door-to-door shared rides, or ride a BeST Transit public bus at no cost.
What are Senior Shared Rides?
The Senior Shared Ride program is where a BeST Transit bus, shuttle or van picks you up at your door and takes you to your destination. It’s supported by the Pennsylvania Lottery and the Area Agency on Aging. The trips can be used for almost any reason, Monday through Friday, within the three-county coverage area of Bradford, Sullivan and Tioga counties.
In addition, on certain days of the week, BeST Transit travels to medical appointments outside the three-county area. For example, on Mondays: Broome, Tioga and Chemung counties in New York, including Vestal, Binghamton, Nichols, Owego, Elmira and Horseheads. Tuesdays: Susquehanna, Lackawanna, Wyoming and Luzerne counties, including Montrose, Scranton, Tunkhannock and Wilkes-Barre, as well as Lycoming, Union, Montour and Northumberland counties, including Williamsport, Lewisburg, Danville and Milton. Wednesdays: Lycoming, Union, Montour and Northumberland. Thursdays: Steuben and Chemung counties in New York, including Corning, Bath and Elmira, as well as Lycoming, Union, Montour and Northumberland. Fridays: Susquehanna, Lackawanna, Wyoming and Luzerne.
First, get signed up
Give us a call at (272) 424-4044 and ask to register for Senior Transit. Or, stop in to one of our offices: in the Progress Building in Towanda at 1 Elizabeth St., Suite 11, Towanda, PA 18848 or in Greens Landing at 29800 Rt. 220, Athens, PA 18810 or at 2978 S. Main St., Rt. 15, Mansfield, PA 16933. You have to be registered in order to get rides.
Then, make trip reservations
You will need to call either (570) 888-7330 or (272) 424-4044, by 11 a.m. the business day before your trip (or appointment) to make your ride reservation. Our friendly staff will verify your name and address, and ask the date, time you need to arrive, and how long you’ll be. When all that information is entered in to the computer, you’ll be given an approximate pick-up time from your home. Remember, it is a shared ride, so there may be other passengers on the bus, and there may be times when you are picked up a little earlier to accommodate other riders too. BeST Transit groups riders together whenever possible to be as efficient as can be and to operate responsibly within our budget.
Or, ride the fixed-routes for free
Senior Transit program members may also take advantage of no-cost rides on BeST Transit’s fixed-route public buses. When you show your Senior Transit card to the driver, there is no charge to hop on the bus and travel throughout Bradford County, from Bradford to Sullivan County or throughout Tioga County, Pa. No reservations are needed, just follow the bus schedule.
In addition, downtown Mansfield residents and Mansfield University students and staff members have access to the Mountie Express. The Mountie is open to the general public Monday-Friday and travels on and off campus to Walmart and back again throughout the morning, afternoon and evenings.
For riders who are not 65 or older, bus fares are nominal and reduced multi-trip tickets are available for all fixed-routes.
You can find our public bus schedules on the website at www.goBeSTtransit.com, or ask us for them.
Happy customers
Many of our senior riders tell us how pleased they are with the service, saying it allows them to continue to be independent as they get older. One recently explained she has friends and family who are willing to drive her occasionally, but they all work, so this is the perfect solution. Another praised the drivers, saying they are her support system. She added, “They’re all the same – they’re very courteous, kind and helpful. They love their jobs and it shows.”
You’re safe with us
All newly-hired drivers go through detailed training, according to BeST Transit management. Training in classroom and on-the-job settings consists of – but is not limited to – defensive driving, passenger assistance, wheelchair training and securement, disability awareness, First Aid and CPR and company policy and procedures. Drivers attend company trainings on a regular basis as well.
BeST Transit also takes pride in its vehicles. Mechanics routinely inspect every vehicle for performance and safety. All mechanics are Pennsylvania state safety inspection-certified and complete individual mandatory training through PennTRAIN – a division of the Pennsylvania Public Transportation Association.
BeST Transit has been meeting transportation needs of Bradford, Sullivan and Tioga counties’ residents for 40 years. Next time you see a BeST bus, shuttle or van on the road, you’ll know who they are and how you can be a part of local Senior Transit too!
Call (272) 424-4044 to get signed up! We can’t wait to have you ride with us!
ALSO …
Brand new Shopper Routes
Do you like to shop? Ride with us to Chemung County, NY!
Every Friday there are two Shopper Routes heading to Big Flats, NY, one from Bradford and one from Tioga County.
You’ll ride with us to Consumer Square, and have the opportunity to shop there at places like Hobby Lobby, Sam’s Club, Sportsman’s Warehouse or Home Goods. Or, if you’d like, hop on C-TRAN’s shopper shuttle to travel to the Target Plaza, Dick’s Sporting Goods, or the mall. Just be sure to be back to Consumer Square in time to ride the BeST Transit bus back home!
It’s free for senior citizens with a Senior Transit card and $2 each way for the general public. The C-TRAN shuttle will cost 25 cents each time you board (50 cents for the general public.)
Look for schedules on our Facebook (search for BeST Transit) or call (272) 424-4044 for more detailed information!
