Proposed change to transportation system
threatens ARTS
Staff photo/Kathy McCarty
ARTS DRIVER BRUCE BARTLETT was one of nearly three dozen in attendance at a meeting held in May who urged state officials to reconsider plans to revamp the transportation system that currently provides rides for low-income and handicapped individuals throughout Aroostook County.
The proposed change would eliminate the Aroostook Regional Transportation System as it exists now, in exchange for a brokered system that would most likely be based out of an office elsewhere in the state.
By Kathy McCarty
PRESQUE ISLE — The future of transportation for those living on low income or having to live with a handicap may change dramatically, if a proposal by the Department of Health and Human Services to go to a single statewide transportation broker instead of using a regional transportation provide, such as the Aroostook Regional Transportation System (ARTS), is approved.
Staff photo/Kathy McCarty
CITIZENS RELY ON ARTS — Caribou residents Rosanna Michaud, Lucille Wark and Wayne Howe rely daily on services provided by the Aroostook Regional Transportation System to get to doctors’ appointments, pick up groceries and run other errands. Without the program, all said their lives would drastically change for the worse.
Under the proposal, ARTS’ MaineCare/DHHS funding would decrease by $2.4 million, which in part assists with the operation of ARTS’ bus fleet. The reduction in funding would affect not just MaineCare/DHHS passengers but all fare-paying passengers.
A meeting was held May 12 in Presque Isle to allow those who use or work for ARTS to meet with state officials to share their concerns and ask questions about the future of transportation in Aroostook County. The panel of officials on hand for the event inclulded: Richard Rothe, of Rothe Associates, a private consulting firm working with the Maine Department of Labor to gather information on what impact, if any, the proposed change would have in the state; Gwen Hilton and Sharon Eaton, consultants with Rothe Associates; and Penny Vaillancourt, project manager and planning assistant, with the DOT. A MaineCare representative was scheduled to attend but cancelled due to other business.
Vaillancourt was quick to point out that the proposal is being made by DHHS and not the DOT.
“The DOT’s goal every couple of years is to get feedback on transportation issues and services provided,” said Vaillancourt.
Staff photo/Kathy McCarty
HELPING HAND — ARTS driver Wainel Thibodeau offers a helping hand to Gene Lynch I as he climbs aboard the bus for his ride home. Lynch said he regularly uses the transportation system to get to doctor appointments and appreciates the staff’s helpfulness.
The audience was comprised of about three dozen individuals — mostly handicapped senior citizens — who offered a variety of reasons ARTS should be funded as it has been, rather than going with a brokered system.
Participants spoke, using first names only, giving the session an almost family meeting atmosphere. Like a family, they stuck together in their views, expressing concern over such things as getting to doctors appointments if services are reduced or eliminated and how to pay if fares go up.
“I live in Monticello and get $900 a month from Social Security. I have to travel to Presque Isle every three months and regularly have to go to Houlton. If I have to make a cut in spending, where do I cut? Do I eat or seek medical treatment?” asked John.
“I lost my license due to a stroke. The state told me I have ARTS to get groceries, go to physical therapy. If you take away this asset, you take away my way of life. This will affect everyone in this room,” said Jim.
Sarah, originally from Lewiston, said since she moved here, ARTS’ staff has become her “second family.”
“I know the drivers. ARTS has volunteers when I have to go to Bangor. I also enjoy socializing on the bus. Without ARTS, I’d be a recluse. I’m penalized for being married — I get $400 a month, my husband $700. If I had to take a cab four or five times a month, I’d have to go without food, medicine, etc.,” said Sarah.
Laura said she lived in a small community of about 100 people, with no resources, such as a grocery store.
“To put food in the house or get to the doctor’s office, I rely on ARTS,” said Laura. “I also enjoy making new friends on the bus.”
Muriel, who had to give up her car due to a visual impairment, said the bus “is a perfect way to get from Point A to Point B.”
“I get my groceries, make it to doctor’s appointments. It’s not easy on a fixed income. The bills keep coming. Though you get older and weaker, the bills need to be paid,” said Muriel.
Dan Donovan, director of ARTS, said rates for his company are subsidized from DOT and other funding sources.
“The goal is to keep people in their homes and self-sufficient. Upping fares would help some but wouldn’t offset losses if MaineCare follows through with this proposal,” Donovan said.
Calvin Hall, a supervisor for adult protection services, said transportation is often one of the most difficult things to coordinate for elderly people in need.
“I can’t imagine working out a ride by having to go outside our region. We need regional control and regional decision-making to resolve issues,” Hall said.
Steve Farnham, director of the Aroostook Agency on Aging, said a statewide brokered system wasn’t “the only way to come into compliance.”
“As gas prices have spiked, we’ve seen our volunteers drop from over 100 to less than 50. We’ll continue to try to find volunteers, but reimbursement and gas prices hinder interest in volunteering. I don’t think it’s the decent thing to ask volunteers to work for a private, for-profit agency. Our agency won’t recruit for that purpose; it’s not right. I’ve worked with ARTS since it was part of our agency. Agencies have banded together to keep this going. It’s worked since 1978,” said Farnham.
Farnham said pulling finances “puts ARTS on a route to an indefinite future.”
“There are choices; this doesn’t have to happen,” Farnham said. “If ARTS is given a fair chance to compete, there are options.”
Vaillancourt said DOT is working with DHHS toward a solution.
“I’m as surprised as some of you were. We’ll give guidance in drafting something for a single provider,” Vaillancourt said.
Bruce Bartlett, a driver for ARTS, said his volunteering “comes from the heart.”
“ARTS is valuable. It’s not about the money. I care about people. That’s what this is about. LePage is taking people down. I drive because I care about everyone else. The disabled, the handicapped need this. Going through a broker is wrong,” said Bartlett.
It’s the family atmosphere — knowing the needs of those being served and helping above and beyond the call — that has set ARTS apart from other forms of transportation, said supporters. For one woman in the audience, this was especially true when her husband was ill and hospitalized.
“My husband was in the hospital the last few days of his life. ARTS diverted a bus from Madawaska to Sinclair, picked me up so I could be with him when he died,” said Laura, noting because of this, her husband didn’t have to die alone.
ARTS has been a vital part of many lives in Aroostook County for over three decades.
Lucille Wark, of Caribou, called ARTS “great” and said using the system has enhanced her life.
“I’ve used it for over nine years. I use it twice a week to get to cardiac rehab and coordinate trips to the grocery store,” said Wark. “It’s very convenient. Without it, I’d have to walk, limiting my ability to get out of the house and do the things I enjoy and need to do.”
Wayne Howe, of Caribou, said he’s been using the system for about three years.
“I use the bus two or three times a week, for medical appointments, getting groceries,” he said.
Rosanna Michaud, of Caribou, said she’s used ARTS for the past decade.
“I go out every day for lunch and appointments. I have a hard time to walk and use a walker. I don’t know what I’d do without it,” said Michaud.
“The bus is very important. I can’t drive any more, due to glaucoma,” said Howe.
For many, it’s the drivers that make the difference, offering assistance carrying in groceries and shopping bags, assisting riders on and off the bus or checking in on clients when they haven’t ridden the bus in a while, to make sure they’re OK.
“They’re a big help. We (riders) can’t live without them (ARTS and the drivers),” said Gene Lynch I, as he boarded a bus at The Aroostook Medical Center following an appointment. “We need this service in the County.”
To express concern over the proposal or for more information, contact the governor’s office at 287-3531, DHHS Commissioner Mary Mayhew at 287-3707 or MDOT Commissioner David Bernhardt at 624-3003.
“By voicing your concern, you may help to stop or slow the process,” said Donovan.
