March/April 2007 vol. 12
Providing the Resources and Tools for the Independent Traveler
Did You Know…?
1.
Ride Connection is having an open
house to give everyone we work with a
chance to see our new space. Come
join us on Friday, April 6
th
from 3 to 5
pm. No need to RSVP. Our new office
is located at 3030 SW Moody, Suite
230 Portland, OR 97201. We hope to
see you there!
2.
Our Lead Travel Trainer, Chris Hunter
has recently been selected to be part of
a national training program through
Easter Seals Project ACTION. He will
be part of a team created to provide
training for people interested in
becoming travel trainers or starting
travel training in their own
communities. Congratulations Chris!
3.
Starting Sunday, March 4
th
, 24 TriMet
bus lines had minor scheduling
changes. To find out if your bus is one
with a change in schedule, call (503)
238-RIDE or log on to the TriMet
website by visiting:
www.trimet.org
4.
You may have seen information about
RideWise on KATU-2 News on
February 25
th
at 7:37 am and 5:34 pm.
We have a link posted in our “In The
News” section on the Ride Connection
Website. If you would like to see our
clip, contact us at:
ridewisenews@rideconnection.org
This newsletter is available in alternative
format by calling 503.528.1721
Q & A with Devon
Q. Devon, I’m currently working with an
individual who uses a wheelchair. Can
someone teach me how to secure his/her
wheelchair once we board the bus?
A. Actually, securing the wheelchair is the
responsibility of the bus driver. If this driver
does not offer to secure the individual and
he/she would like to be secured, the individual
has the right to ask for securement. Self-
advocacy is an important skill for everyone to
have.
Q. Devon, you taught my daughter how to
independently ride public transportation
last summer. She has had to start using a
mobility device recently and is nervous
about riding alone the first time. Can
RideWise help?
A. RideWise can provide assistance in two
ways for this situation. We can have a trainer
ride with your daughter the first time to show
her the accessibility features of the bus while
taking a trip, or we can have an out of service
bus come out for her to practice on so she is
comfortable when she goes to ride
independently.
Have a question for our travel trainers?
Contact us and we may feature your
question in our next newsletter.
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Tip of the Month
As we all know, spring is just around the
corner which means that the weather can range
from hot to cold, wet to dry, and everything in
between.
Here are some tips for spring bus riding:
•
Even though it’s nice out, the weather
can change quickly from one minute to
the next. Be sure to dress in layers so
you are prepared!
•
Remember that first thing in the
morning when the sun is rising, and
then again at dusk as it is setting drivers
may have difficulty seeing you due to
the sun in their eyes. Please be sure to
make eye contact with drivers before
crossing in front of their cars to ensure
that it is safe to cross.
•
When crossing the street, be sure to
watch for bicyclists. As the weather
gets nicer, more people start riding their
bikes.
•
When the sun is out, be sure to wear
sunscreen, at least SPF 15.
•
Read the TriMet Rider Insider, which is
available quarterly via e-mail. It’s
packed with fun ideas and new
information about TriMet such as fun
places to go during spring break, where
it goes and events that are going to be
taking place. To read it online, visit:
www.trimet.org/riderinsider/index.htm
This Month’s Success Story
This month we trained an older gentleman who
lives with his wife in Clackamas. He had given
up driving quite some time ago and relies on
his wife for transportation. His wife will be
having major surgery soon and after this
surgery, she will be unable to drive. He
wanted to learn to get to Clackamas Town
Center so that he could travel independently
while she was healing, giving him a chance to
get out in the community. After researching
the trip, a RideWise Travel Trainer determined
that he could ride a bus which goes right down
Sunnyside Road and he only had to walk about
one block to reach the nearest bus stop. This
bus travels directly to Clackamas Town Center.
This gentleman has learned this trip and now
has an opportunity to get out in the community
and travel independently while his wife is
recovering from surgery.
Contact Us
To Enroll or ask a question: 503.528.1743
To Volunteer: 503.528.1749
Do you have any suggestions for an
upcoming newsletter?
ridewisenews@rideconnection.org
An electronic version of the newsletter is also
available just email us.
RideWise is a collaborative effort between TriMet and RideConnection to promote independent travel for older
adults and people living with disabilities by providing access to information, training, and support.