By Steve Kanigher

Wed, Jun 11, 2008 (2 a.m.)

For elderly and disabled valley residents who are unable to drive and don’t have relatives or friends available to give them rides, getting to medical appointments, social services offices, recreational activities and shopping centers is often difficult.

It could be that the closest bus stop is too far away, that subsidized rides aren’t available or that social agencies’ transit services cannot meet all needs.

To address those issues, the Regional Transportation Commission will consider a plan at its monthly meeting Thursday to meet requirements for state and local governments to continue receiving federal funding for transit programs assisting disabled, elderly and low-income passengers. Nevada and Las Vegas received nearly $2.2 million combined for such programs in the past year.

The Coordinated Public Transit and Human Services Plan concedes that few areas of the valley have a balanced mix of housing and jobs, creating a “mobility challenge” for most residents, particularly in commuting to work.

That problem is worsened by the fact that many senior communities are outside the reach of regular bus and other transit services, creating a situation in which “residents find themselves without transportation as they become unable to drive.”

It is estimated that 20,000 Clark County residents older than 50 rely on transportation other than their own vehicles or those of relatives or friends, and that 25,000 in the same age group have difficulty walking.

The commission’s bus route system is based on the premise that people are willing to walk one-quarter mile, or roughly two blocks, to a bus stop. But only about six in 10 county residents live within that distance from a bus stop.

To alleviate these shortcomings the plan envisions a more flexible, timely and reliable transit system. Among other things, it advocates a new transportation information and referral service available by phone that would link riders with transit providers willing to take new passengers.

“If a group home has a van and owners are willing to pick up others in the neighborhood for a fee, a nearby resident could be served,” the plan states.

Another idea is to pursue private funding through community foundations to help finance expanded, flexible services for disabled passengers and extended transportation service for residents of outlying valley neighborhoods. Taxi companies also will be encouraged to expand their services.

Other parts of the plan call for safer and more convenient waiting areas for disabled and elderly passengers, including indoor waiting centers and seats at the base of bus sign poles.