Local

York County pursuing additional senior transportation services where rides are now limited

YORK COUNTY, S.C. — Getting back and forth from the doctor’s office or grocery store is easy for many of us, but some York County seniors struggle to find a ride.

Special transportation services that often help seniors and people with disabilities aren’t available in some parts of Fort Mill, Tega Cay and Lake Wylie.

Now, one local leader is working to close that transportation gap.

York County Council member Tom Audetee told Channel 9′s Tina Terry people who need ride assistance in the overlooked area have been reaching out to him since he took office.

“We’ve got people that need to get to dialysis appointments, doctor’s appointments, they’re right here in York County and they can’t get to the doctor,” he said. “They have to call an Uber and if they’re disabled, they can’t get picked up, because of the lift challenge.”

Guy Sturges, 79, said he and his wife still drive themselves around, but for many people in his 55 and over neighborhood, that isn’t the case.

“I live in Carolina Orchard, so there’s more people that have some difficulty,” he said.

Audetee said federal dollars that would help fund the rides couldn’t come to this area, because there is no one to provide the service.

Instead, Audetee said he’s working with the York County Council of Aging to close the service gap. The council already provides transportation in other parts of the county.

“They’ll pick them up at their home, bring them right there, bring them right back. And if they’re disabled there’s a lift that picks them up takes them there and brings them back. It’s a great program,” Audetee said.

The councilman said the program could cost between $180,000 and $200,000 depending on demand for the service. A mixture of federal and other dollars will fund the program that could get underway by July.

Transportation service are already available for seniors in other parts of York County.

If you’d like to schedule a ride in another part of York County you can call 803-327-6694 now. Just punch option 304 and you can schedule a ride.

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