Archive: Around Town

Reliable and affordable transportation services are available in Lansing for older adults. These services can help you get to medical appointments, grocery shopping, friends & family and recreation without a car. Read on to learn about some of these services:

A good first step is to call 2-1-1 for Information about Transportation Services Just dial 211 and ask questions. 2-1-1 connects people in need with services through a local  central telephone information service. Dial 2-1-1 to talk with a local expert who will answer your  questions about transportation and all community services.

If you're online, go to www.way2go.org to browse a comprehensive directory of transportation services in Tompkins County and see our professional, short videos that explain how to use TCAT, Gadabout, taxi and other transportation services.

Gadabout - Rides by reservation, Call 273-1878. Summary: Gadabout provides rides by reservation for people 60 or over, or people with disabilities. Gadabout can be used for almost any trip including Medical/dental appointments, getting to work, shopping, volunteer work, personal errands, and social events. All Gadabout vehicles are wheelchair accessible. Gadabout operates from 8am to 4pm on weekdays.

Cost: The cost of Gadabout is $2.00 per one-way trip within the City of Ithaca; $3.00 for trips that start or end outside city limits. To reserve rides, call two days in advance. Longer trips may require more notice.

Contact: To reserve a ride with Gadabout call 607-273-1878

ADA Paratransit - Rides by reservation for people with disabilities Summary: ADA paratransit is a ride by reservation service operated by Gadabout for persons with disabilities who cannot use TCAT bus service due to a disability. This service is similar to Gadabout and covers, and in some cases goes beyond areas served by TCAT. ADA Paratransit transportation operates on weekdays, weekends and evenings.

Cost: Zone 1 fare is $2.00 per one-way trip. This includes any trip with an origin and destination within the Ithaca city limits. Zone 2 fare is $3.00 per one-way trip. This includes any trip with an origin or destination outside of the Ithaca city limits.

Contact: To apply for ADA paratransit call the ADA paratransit coordinator at 607-277-9388 x420

TCAT - Fixed route bus transportation Summary: TCAT runs fixed route bus transportation throughout Tompkins County. TCAT has two bus routes (36 & 37) serving the town and village of Lansing. The Shops at Ithaca Mall is a major transfer bus stop for easy connections to TCAT buses to Downtown Ithaca, Cornell campus and Cayuga Medical Center, Guthrie Clinic & the Convenient Care Center.  All TCAT Bus are wheelchair accessible. The buses also "kneel" and use ramps to make it easier to walk on and off the bus.

Cost: Older adults 60 and older pay half fare for the bus with a TCAT Half fare card! TCAT service area is divided into two fare zones. If you board in Zone 1 (the Ithaca area), you pay  $0.75 for a half-fare ride. If you board in Zone 2 (north of Water Wagon and Farrell Roads) and are going towards Ithaca, you pay the Zone 2 fare of $1.25 for a half-fare ride. All return trips from Ithaca Zone 1 cost $.75.

Contact: For the most up to date information about TCAT service to Lansing, call 607-277-7433 or go to www.tcatbus.com .

FISH (Friends in Service Helping) - Volunteer Medical Transportation, Rides by reservation, Call 211. Summary: FISH volunteers provide rides to Tompkins County residents in need of medical and health related services. New this year, FISH is able to provide rides to regional medical services. All rides are smoke-free, private, confidential and comfortable. FISH primarily serves older citizens who may be frail or who no longer drive, and Tompkins County residents who have limited transportation options and resources. Call the 2-1-1 service to make trip requests for FISH.

FISH is operated by a dedicated team of volunteer drivers. Drivers receive a mileage stipend to reimburse the cost of providing trips. FISH is continually recruiting volunteers to operate the service. For more information please visit http://fishoftc.org/ or call 211.

Cost: FISH rides are free! They accept donations but there is no charge for using FISH.

Contact: Call 211 to request a ride with FISH. It is recommended to call 4 business days in advance of your ride so they can find a volunteer to give a ride.

If you have additional questions please call 2-1-1, Gadabout 273-1878, or TCAT 277-9388.

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