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Published Thursday, July 02, 2009 in Local

Coweta's dial-a-ride service transports first customer

By Sarah Fay Campbell

The Times-Herald

For Cowetan Dana Gantt, Wednesday was the "first time in 11 years I have been able to get my hair cut when I want to," she said.

Gantt, who is legally blind, scheduled the first trip on Coweta's new dial-a-ride transit service. At 8:20 Wednesday morning, she was picked up from her home and dropped off at the beauty salon.

Gantt has been keeping up with the program developments ever since the plans for the service were announced two years ago.

"It's a privilege to be the first rider," she said.

"It's the best thing Coweta County has done, in my opinion, in 11 years."

Before Gantt lost her sight, "I did not realize how trapped you become without a car," she said. "My attitude changed when I realized I can no longer drive ... to go shopping, to buy my husband a birthday card without him there. I have to rely on family and friends" and do things on their schedules, she said.

Gantt traveled to Bradenton, Fla., to get her first guide dog, and there was a transit system available there.

"I said then that we needed [a transit service] here. I started making calls. Coweta County was not receptive" at that time, Gantt said.

Gantt even considered leaving Coweta and moving somewhere that provided transportation services for those unable to drive.

"She's been calling since the beginning," said Tavores Edwards, Coweta's transportation planner.

Now, Gantt hopes to start volunteering again.

"I fully intend to make full use of this," she said of the program.

Gantt was joined on the inaugural trip by Edwards, County Commission Chairman Paul Poole and his wife, Becky, Coweta Public Information Officer Patricia Palmer, Coweta Administrative and Operations Director Tom Corker, and Mamie Tomys, regional operations director for Quality Trans, the system operator.

The dial-a-ride program, known as a 5311 service because of the federal grant that funds the majority of it, will operate, at least initially, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. It will offer both one-way trips and round-trips to and from any location in Coweta. Trips are $3 each way and must be scheduled at least 24 hours in advance. Riders who will use the service on a daily basis can be put on a scheduled route.

To schedule a trip, or for more information, call 770-683-RIDE (7433).

Since the phone number went live last week, there have been about 20 round-trips scheduled. There have been about 45 calls from people inquiring about the system, and approximately 45 calls for "purchase of service" trips. Purchase of service trips are bought by governmental agencies or local business groups. Previously, those trips were made through the Department of Human Resources' coordinated transportation program. The purchase of service trips bring in additional revenue and help "buy down" Coweta's costs to provide public transportation, Edwards said.

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