HOULTON, Maine — Improved transportation services will soon be coming to southern Aroostook County thanks to a grant from the Maine Community Foundation.
The Aroostook Regional Transportation System (ARTS), based out of Presque Isle, was one of 11 organizations to receive grant money from the Foundation, which doled out $77,830 in grant funds to support transportation programs for older Maine people.
Tammy Gagnon, executive director for ARTS, said Tuesday afternoon that she had yet to receive official notification at her office of the award, but was delighted to learn from a reporter that her organization had been selected.
“This is wonderful,” Gagnon said. “I knew (the announcement) would be coming at some point.”
She added it was the very first grant ARTS has put in for in 41 years that was not connected to regular funding for the program.
ARTS is a 501c3 non-profit organization founded in 1979. Since that time, ARTS has provided demand-response door to door transportation services for the people of Aroostook County. ARTS provides transportation to all towns in Aroostook County, Patten/Stacyville in Penobscot County and Danforth in Washington County.
Transportation services are provided for the general public, individuals with disabilities, and the elderly at affordable rates. Services are provided for Aroostook Area Agency on Aging, Central Aroostook Association, LogistiCare (MaineCare) and the Maine Department of Health and Human Services through a contracted rate with no charge to the individuals.
Gagnon said she applied for a $10,000 grant to enable the organization to hire an additional driver for the greater southern Aroostook area to increase their coverage.
“Our need was to expand coverage in the Houlton area,” she explained. “We have been looking for a very long time to add another shift in that area. We already have the vehicle, we just needed funds for the workforce.”
ARTS’ demand-response, door-to-door services are provided by buses or vans that are all handicapped accessible. Those with disabilities and the elderly pay a reduced rate for transportation services.
The modes of transportation that ARTS uses to provide services are: the ARTS’ bus system, volunteer drivers, private car drivers and taxis. ARTS has a friend and family reimbursement program for qualifying low income people through the Maine Department of Health and Human Service contract.
In Houlton, the bus makes general stops at Market Square, Wal-Mart, Hannaford, Andy’s IGA, Mardens and Houlton Regional Hospital. The cost is $1.25 per pick up.
ARTS also provides service to Oakfield, Dyer Brook, Cary, Smyrna Mills, Ludlow, Danforth, Hodgdon, Weston, Amity, Littleton, Monticello, Bridgewater, Mars Hill, Presque Isle, Island Falls, Linneus, Sherman, Stacyville, Patten, Orient, Haynesville, Wytopitlock, Bancroft, Macwahoc, Molunkus, Mount Chase, New Limerick, Westfield and Benedicta for additional fees ranging from $2.50 to $10 depending on the distance.
Bus trips can be for medical appointments or shopping trips to each of the four hub communities — Houlton, Presque Isle, Caribou and the St. John Valley — to which ARTS provides services. A full bus schedule can be found on the organization’s website.
For more information on how to schedule a bus pickup, call 764-1290.
