PUBLIC TRANSIT SERVICES

Who are the people providing public transportation services throughout North Carolina?

The people who provide transportation services throughout North Carolina could be your neighbors. These people range from the driver of the vehicles to the manager responsible for oversight of the system. Some people are volunteers, while others are paid staff. These individuals range in age from the young to older adult. For some, transportation is a second career, while for others, it is their first and only career. Some have degrees in transportation, while others have worked their way through the industry building on experiences gained with each job. Some of the providers are non-profit agencies, some are for profit, and some are parts of larger governmental bodies.

The approximately 2,000 people who provide transportation throughout the communities in North Carolina care about the people they transport. Even with such a diverse group, the things that they all have in common are 1) the desire to help the people of North Carolina maintain personal mobility and 2) the commitment to provide safe, dependable, customer-friendly services.

All transit staff who operate a vehicle, maintain a vehicle, or control the movement of a vehicle are subject to a federally mandated anti-drug and alcohol misuse prevention program Drivers and staff also go through weeks of training to become proficient at their duties. In addition to safe driving habits and proper operation of the vehicles, drivers are trained in First Aid and CPR, passenger assistance techniques, and disability awareness and sensitivity. The training can last for three to four weeks depending upon the skills of the new employee. Even after the initial training, a new employee is constantly gaining additional knowledge from his/her peers and new experiences. Training is not just for new employees. Employees who have been on the job for many years receive refresher training. Some training is annual while some may be on an as necessary basis.

The people in public transportation are dedicated to their jobs and take great pride in what they do. They are committed to providing the best services possible. Public transportation professionals all over North Carolina look forward to meeting your transportation needs.

USERS OF PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION

ELDERLY

COLTS (County of Lee Transit) offers transportation for senior citizens

The fastest growing segmentof the population nationally and within the state of North Carolina is the elderly. In fact, North Carolina's elderly population is growing at an even faster rate than the nation as a whole. Mobility options for our elderly residents are becoming increasingly important.

Along with the increasing elderly population, there are changes in lifestyle among families. One of the most significant changes is the fact that the extended family (three generations) no longer lives in the same community, much less the same household. Those elderly individuals with no family close by to care for them and their needs must become independent not only to maintain their quality of life but, oftentimes, even to survive!

Without adequate, reliable and affordable public transportation, our elderly population will lose their independence and be denied access to basic living services. They could become prematurely reliant on care services, such as nursing homes, that are costly to the individual and the state.

A significant number of North Carolina's residents 65 or older do not drive. How transit systems and service respond to this growing population will have huge economic consequences for the elderly and their families as well as the public and private institutions that serve their employment, health, nutrition and social needs.

DISABLED

A disabled citizen enjoys the benefits of public transportation

North Carolina's population also includes many working-aged citizens who are disabled. Many of these citizens are able to use public transit services to assist them in getting to and from work. If these individuals were unable to work, it would cost North Carolina taxpayers more to provide in-home support services. In addition, business and industry would suffer if qualified and skilled individuals, who are also disabled, did not have access to employment opportunities due to lack of public transportation alternatives.

Our disabled citizens also use public transportation for health and social reasons. For those that are able to use public transportation services, this may be their only way to get to a Doctor's office, grocery store or church. Access to basic living services, which the able-bodied person often takes for granted, can become problematic for the disabled person without public transportation.

WORKING NORTH CAROLINIANS
Every morning and afternoon, North Carolina residents board buses, vans, trains, or ferries to get to and from work. In fact, according to the American Public Transportation Association, more than 50 % of the trips on public transit are for the purpose of "earning a living".

Charlotte Transit's fixed route schedule helps commuters avoid rush hour traffic

Most of us think of public transportation as big city buses with fixed routes that don't fit our schedules or don't go where we need them to go. We're too intimidated to get on a bus for fear of ending up at some unknown destination with no way to get home. However, the people who use these services say that they almost always arrive at their destination on time or earlier, can sit back and relax while someone else is doing the driving (maybe catch up on their reading or prepare for a meeting at work), and save wear and tear on their vehicles thereby saving money in the long run. City bus services are designed to make this the easiest and most affordable mode of transportation for those who desire the conveniences of using public transportation.

While public transit is a convenient choice for many, there are others who have no other means of transportation. Public transit is significant in moving people from welfare to work. The successful implementation of welfare reform is contingent upon adequate and affordable transportation for the "Workfirst" clients. If welfare reform is going to succeed, there will be a need for an increased number of routes for public transportation and extended times that the routes can operate.

STUDENTS
Many transit systems throughout North Carolina also provide students with transportation to colleges, universities, community colleges and public schools. These transit services reduce campus parking expenses and congestion for all motorists. Access to these transportation services ensures that North Carolinians connect with educational opportunities and that business has access to a well-trained work force.