North Country Transportation

I hope this e-newsletter will be a great source of information about what is happening regarding human service and public transportation within the communities you live and work. You were chosen as part of the address list because at one time or another you or your organization connected with North Country Transit. I do understand how much correspondence and information everyone receives so I ask that if you have no interest in this e-newsletter please reply back to me and I will take you off the mailing list.

This newsletter has been a goal of mine for quite some time. With so many things happening at North Country Transit and with transportation efforts at the State and Regional level I thought this would be a good way to keep people connected and informed. It will also serve as a reminder that the transportation efforts we are working on in the North Country are not being forgotten. I can assure you my staff and I have been diligently working to provide and improve the provision of transportation to all those who need it in the North Country. I also ask for your patience, understanding, and support as we work toward our goals.

I want to “Thank” each one of my staff, Tri-County CAP, Inc. Executive and Deputy Directors, and those serving on the NCT project committees for their hard work and efforts working with NCT toward bringing a better means of transportation for those in our communities.

Carroll County feasibility study: If you are not aware NCT took the initiative to apply for a Technical Assistance grant through Community Transportation Association of America to do a feasibility study of Carroll County, a county that has no public transportation and very limited human service transportation. Successful in being awarded the opportunity a consultant was hired. The consultant released the 3^rd Technical Memorandum about a month ago. This memorandum presented several alternatives on types of transportation corridors and demand response services that could be serving the county. The alternatives were presented at 4 public meetings held in; North Conway, Ossipee, Wolfeboro, and Moultonboro. After the public meetings the advisory committee met taking into consideration the feedback from the public meetings, and came up with what they thought would be the best alternative. It was a combination of a couple of the alternatives presented. The alternatives were then revisited by the consultant who last week produced the Draft Report of the project. Both documents, the 3^rd Technical Memorandum and the Draft Report can be viewed on the consultants website at: www.lsccs.com/projects/carroll/index.htm. The next round of public meetings are scheduled for Oct. 10, 1:30 pm at the Moultonboro Meal Site, Oct 10, 4:00 p.m. Wolfeboro Public Library, October 11, 12:30 p.m. The Gibson Center in North Conway, and October 11, Ossipee Concerned Citizens 4:00 p.m. The Advisory Committee meeting is scheduled for October 12, 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at the Community Action Building in Tamworth. Anyone is welcomed to attend any of these meetings.

FTA-PTP Project: NCT applied to the Federal Transit Administration through a project proposal to administer a coordination project with other transportation providers in NCT’s service areas. The competition was national with only seven projects being chosen to receive awards. NCT received 100% funding for the project amounting to $116,550. A few weeks ago NCT sent out an RFP to hire a consultant to work with them on this project. The RFP can be viewed on the Tri County CAP, Inc. Website www.tccap.org. The proposals are due back from the candidates by Sept 7^th and a decision needs to be made by Sept 24^th

NCT’s service areas include all of Coös County and northern Grafton. It is also possible that if the Carroll County study is progressed enough it will be included into the coordination efforts of this project. It is important to note that the process of this project and the outcomes will be documented and used to produce an educational program that can be used nationally to help others coordinate services in their regions.

The Tillotson Fund application that was submitted for a 3-year expansion of service project for public transportation in Colebrook and the surrounding towns for $300,000 was denied. As I mentioned at the meeting held at the Colebrook Country Club in January. “Even if the grant was denied I would still like to work with committee members toward bettering transportation in those northern most NH areas.” Those of you who are unaware NCT has increased service in that area with the addition of another wheelchair accessible vehicle. NCT and RCT (Rural Community Transportation) out of Vermont are also working to coordinate services to provide more transportation to those in northern VT and NH. Although helpful, it is not the whole solution to the ever growing problem for so many who tell us, “but I need to get from here to there”. The FTA PTP project mentioned above should help increase service provision to the communities through coordination. The committee will be an important part of this project. The consultants will want to meet with the committee along with other providers and the general public to gather information and present project steps and results. I encourage those who attended the January meeting to remain involved. You will be contacted when another meeting is scheduled. Anyone else who may be interested in being a part of the Colebrook Committee should contact Beverly Raymond at 1-888-997-2020

Good news from the Governor’s Task Force on Community Transportation, the Governor has signed into law the right for volunteers to provide transportation with their private vehicle to clients/patients without insurance companies having the right to deny coverage or increase premiums. If you or anyone you know would like to be a volunteer driver for North Country Transit contact Kelly at 1-888-997-2020.

The Governor also signed into law the formation of a State Coordinating Council to work on the continued efforts of creating a statewide coordinated transportation system in New Hampshire. Appointees for this committee include the Commissioner or Designee from the Department of Transportation, the Commissioner or Designee from the Department of Health and Human Services, appointees from the following; Department of Education, Governor’s Commission on Disability, New Hampshire Transit Association, Regional Planning Association, a Philanthropic organization, and eight appointments from other organizations/agencies. The Community Action Agencies in New Hampshire are one of the organizations appointed and Beverly Raymond, Director of North Country Transit, has been appointed their representative. More information on the Statewide Coordination of Community Transportation Services can be viewed at http://www.nh.gov/dot/bureaus/railandtransit/documents/NEWHAMfinalCOMB.pdf

Tri-Town Bus now the Tri Town Trolley began operating January 6, 2005 with ridership increasing at a steady pace. The Trolley was introduced this July because some of the afternoon legs of the route were standing room only. The Trolley having a seating capacity of 35 passengers opposed to 16 passengers on the bus is a better fit for the need at this time. It is also important to mention the Trolley does have a bike rack. The Committee for Public Transportation in the North Country (CPTNC) deserves praise for the implementation of this service and its success. This “grass roots” committee was formed in 2004 with the objective to implement transportation that would run between the towns of Lancaster, Whitefield, and Littleton. After years of studies, planning, applying for funding and regular meetings the objective became a reality. The service started with barely 100 trips a month and is now performing over 1000 trips some months. This past year the committee applied for funding from the Rotary Club for bus stop signs. The signs have been purchased and hung. Local businesses are also promoting their business by purchasing advertising on the sides of the vehicles. The CPTNC committee is an example of what a group of committed individuals who see a need can accomplish. Much thanks needs to go out to David Price who chaired this committee for the past three years and was instrumental in the development of this project.

A Golf Tournament Fundraiser was held in June in partnership with the Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP). Together the programs raised approximately $3,000 that will help them meet operating costs and other various expenses the programs incur. “Thanks” to all those who participated and special “Thanks” to the RSVP ladies, Kathy McKenna and Nancy Malone for all their hard work to make this event happen so successfully.

A Raffle to benefit NCT was held on until September 21^st, 2007 for an absolutely gorgeous gas grill donated by Wal-Mart. We raised $612.00 and Mike Gagne was the lucky winner. Thanks go out to everyone who participated.

Signature Senior Trips: We are beginning to schedule our Sr. Trips for the fall and winter months. If you have suggestions we would love to hear from you. Please contact Kelly or Brenda at 603-752-1741.

North Country Transit is a proud member of the

New Hampshire Transit Association.

For more information about North Country Transit,
call (603) 752-1741 / toll-free (888) 997-2020, or send us an

Tri-County Community Action Program, Inc.

Helping people, changing lives... in the North Country of New Hampshire

From the Director Beverly Raymond