While WE Build/Other Resources

We're not there yet. The dream of on-demand paratransit in the Corning area remains unfulfilled. While we work, we've identified others who offer services and support in the area of assisted, public transportation.

 

Paratransit Resources in the Corning-Elmira Area

 

If the person is on MEDICAID, there are a number of
transportation services that offer nonemergency medical transportation.

Otherwise, the “private pay” then the options are limited for non emergency Medical transportation.

 

Limited mobility might evil themselves of curb-to-curb options like rout deviation in Corning.

But in a  wheelchair —  curb to curb serves mean there’s no assistance across our grassy medians.

For door to doorparatransit, there is Steuben Area Rides from the Arc of Seuben.
They operate buses with a wheelchair lift and charge by the mile.
They have limited availability, M-F generally 9:30 to 2
http://arcofsteuben.org/arctransportation/
The other option is Total Transportation, a taxi service that has 2 wheelchair accessible cabs.
They charge a premium for these. They are available 7 days a week but are very poor performers 
In terms of fulfilling any appointment in a timely fashion. (Some have been left waiting for hours)
https://ttofelmira.com/
Elmira’s public transportation includes kneeling and wheelchair accessible buses.
They’ve just started a new program called Access Chemung a new pilot shared, curb-to-curb bus service connecting seniors and people with disabilities with accessible transportation to employment and medical appointments.* 

This new, pilot service is a private pay option for seniors 60 and older or a person with a disability people who needs a wheelchair accessible vehicle to get to non-Medicaid medical appointments such as dialysis (Medicaid recipients have transportation as a covered service and are not eligible for this program for medical appointments). Also, trips will be provided to a person with a disability traveling for employment. You must be an approved applicant to utilize this service.  Applications will be reviewed by the Chemung County Office of Aging and Long Term Care, the Chemung County Volunteer Action Corps, or the Chemung County Mobility Manager.

What is the fare: The fare is $15 each way and service will be provided by a wheelchair accessible bus.  If you do not require accessible transportation, there are other services such as taxi, which may be a more economical option.

Where: Service is provided within Chemung County and to Robert Packer Hospital or Corning Hospital. Service is curb to curb, and there is no additional charge for an aide or family member who may be accompanying you for your appointment.

When: Reservations are requested 3 days in advance, but not later than 2PM the day prior to the needed ride. Service hours are: Monday – Friday 5:30AM-8:30PM. Reservations may be made from 8:00AM-4:00PM. A time will be set to pick-up for your return trip; however, if you are finished early or late, call 734-5211 to adjust your pick up time.

Why: This pilot transportation option is being developed to fill a gap in service identified by residents and the Chemung County Coordinated Transportation Committee.  Accessible transportation is difficult for people who do not live on bus routes or are not covered by Medicaid to access critical medical care.  Current accessible transportation can be more expensive and this service is intended to be an additional accessible transportation option.
https://ridectran.com/en/services
CEATS - Corning Erwin area transportation offers a limited route deviation service, so it depends on where the senior lives as to whether or not they will be serviced. This is stop to stop/curb to curb.  

"Persons on Medicare must show their Medicare card each time you board. CEATS offers curbside pick-up service through its Route Deviation/Demand Response Service Program. If you are a person living within 3/4 of a mile of a bus route, you may qualify for curbside service. The fare for Route Deviation is double the regular fixed route fare and is posted below. Each route deviation will cost double the regular fixed route fare."

http://www.rideceats.com/index.php/en/

Help While You Shop

Corning Paratransit Services Incorporated

Forward, Ever

Corning Paratransit Services, Incorporated is now a 501(c)(3) non profit corporation, dedicated to providing door-to-door transportation for the the mobility-challenged in the Corning, NY area. Hooray!  

It's been a journey. I'm grateful to the Board of Directors for understanding that the ability to move is a universal human need.  Mobility is not a car or a bus – it’s the freedom that comes from knowing you can move when and where you want.  We believe all people have a right to access the paratransit and mobility options they need to experience their independence and  have quality of life. 

Corning Paratransit Services, Incorporated is a nonprofit organization based in Corning that will provide the mobility challenged, elderly, disabled, and others transportation options that enable them to live a more self-sufficient and independent life. Our services will provide a lifeline and, for many, a bridge to the community.  We support resilience, hope and healthy, joyful aging.   Mobility for life. 

Corning Paratransit Services’ mission is to promote independence and self-sufficiency for people with limited mobility by providing caring, customer-focused transportation.

Corning ParaTransit Services will provide affordable, door to door, on-demand, lift-equipped transportation to disabled and mobility-challenged Corning-area residents, ultimately 18 hours a day, seven days a week, 360 days a year throughout the Corning-Elmira area and ultimately Steuben County.

We envision a future where all people, regardless of age, health, disability, or income have easy access to the mobility options they need to enhance their independence and quality of life.

Progress

We have a new informational brochure.

We have a SCORE advisor!

We have two more new board members, enough for our incorporation, if
any can also take on the duties of a VP/Treasurer and Secretary.

We're getting there!

Bit by Bit

Our name is now officially almost ours. It's reserved until July 22nd. To make it ours evermore, we must fill our articles of incorporation by the 22nd or apply for an extension.

June 12 is the deadline for another grant possibility this time from the Appalachian Regional Commission-- these grants are for economic opportunity, workforce development, and infrastructure. CPS addresses all three: we
would provide transportation, employ people ( drivers, dispatchers. accountant, lawyer), and make employment possible for the mobility challenged and the disabled. We would also employ trainers to train our drivers and staff on working with, and developing protocols for assisting our mobility challenged clients. These grants require a match.

I met with a SCORE advisor on Tuesday who made several good recommendations. I've followed up on all of them but one: ask an accounting firm for a pro bono accountant. Without some entree, it not something I will do.
I have contacted several organizations and agencies to see if they track the number of mobility challenged people
they service, and tried to begin an academic contact.

Two prime candidates have demurred, now if we just had some more board members...

Vote for this IDEA!

Vote here, to help actualize this idea!

http://www.ideablob.com/ideas/5465-Mobility-Matters-Paratransit-Se

Mobility Matters: Paratransit Services

One in fifty Americans in paralyzed. In Steuben County, 20.8% (over 19,000) of the population is disabled and there is no on-demand para-ransit. Public transportation is minimal. There is also no grocery delivery in the area, described as "micropolitan."

This project would procure a paratransit taxi and make transportation, mobility and access available to the mobility-challenged and wheelchair users in this area. The link between poverty and disability is widely recognized, yet without transportation, there is no way the mobility-challenged can get to work, shop, or fully participate in the community. ParaTransit Services would remedy this inequity.

If funded the next steps would be:
Secure 501c3 status
Get an accountant
Get an attorney
Short term Lease of a Parataxi
Hire a Driver
Hire a part time dispatcher

Corning ParaTransit Services

Mission Statement

Corning ParaTransit Services will provide affordable, origin-to-destination, on-demand, lift-equipped transportation to disabled and mobility-challenged Corning-area residents, 18 hours a day, seven days a week, 360 days a year throughout the Corning-Elmira area and ultimately Steuben County.

Values
Corning ParaTransit will enable the mobility-challenged, to work, shop, and attend events by offering extended hour (8 a.m. to 8 p.m.) origin to destination public transportation to convey this population in the Corning area.
Empowerment through Access. Empowerment through Transportation.

Background

There is no para-transit service in the Corning-Elmira area.
20.8%, or an estimate 19,038 people in Steuben county have a disability.
The employment rate for people with a disability age 21 to 64 is 47.7% in contrast with those without a disability which is 80.5%. The lack of transportation affects the ability to work.
The latest surveys (Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation) estimate that 1 in 50 Americans is paralyzed… that’s 1,960 people in Steuben County as a potential audience.