Delaware County Community Transit - Best of Both Worlds

By Rich Schiffer, Weichert Realtors

If you are buying a home in Delaware County, (or the surrounding counties -- Montgomery, Philadelphia or Chester Counties), you will be pleased to know that you will have access to one of the nation's finest transportation services.  It has been said that Delaware County doesn't take a back seat to any community in the nation when it comes to transportation.

Community Transit of Delaware County is a private, non-profit corporation, certified by the state Public Utility Commission and funded by public subsidies, subsidies from human service agencies and fares from customers.

They operate operate 90 minibuses and vans, providing daily transportation all across the county. Each day their total mileage is equivalent to driving round trip to Philly to Los Angeles. Last year they drove a total of 2,350,000 miles and delivered approximately 365,500 trips, providing approximately 1,500 trips every weekday, on average.

Community Transit offers the door-to-door convenience of private transportation, and the cost savings and pollution reduction of carpooling.  You get the "best of both worlds."

• SEPTA transports many people at a fairly inexpensive cost, but passengers are dependent on fixed routes and schedules.
• Community Transit's service is a blend of private and public transportation services. They deliver passengers door to door, but passengers must share their ride with others and schedule advance reservations.

Community Transit's passengers may go anywhere in Delaware County, Montgomery County, Philadelphia and Chester County when a shared ride can be arranged with other persons traveling in the same direction.

It is important though, to keep in mind that Community Transit reserves the right to deny a trip request when it cannot be combined with other trips.

Sometimes demand exceeds capacity, with busiest times being weekdays between 8 and 10 a.m. and 1:30 and 4:30 p.m.

Whenever passengers can be flexible about travel dates and pick-up times, trip requests are more easily satisfied.

The cost of this service to the passenger is based on a defined set of criteria.   For fare information, click here.

Several passenger cost reduction programs are available:

• Senior Citizen Shared Ride Program
  This service is for PA Senior Citizens who are 65 years of age or older. Door-to-door transportation costs seniors between $2.95 and $7.95 each way. Seniors can use the service for all kinds of trips. Call 610-490-3960 to request a Shared Ride Program registration form.
• Medical Assistance Transportation Program
  The MATP program is available to persons of all ages who have a valid Medical ACCESS card. Under this program, free transportation to and from approved medical appointments or reimbursement of travel expenses to approved medical facilities and treatments is available. Call 610-490-3975 for more information or to request the MATP registration form.
• SEPTA ADA Customized Community Transportation Service
  SEPTA CCT is designed to provide door-to-door transportation for individuals who have a qualifying disability and who do not have access to any other form of public transportation. Call SEPTA at 215-580-7145 for more information or to request the CCT registration form.
  
  

Tips for using Community Transit:

1. Register with Community Transit first by mail or visit the administrative office at 206 Eddystone Avenue, 2nd Floor in Eddystone.
2. Call 610-490-3960 from three days in advance to 3:30 p.m. the day before your desired trip date to schedule your ride. TDD for the hearing impaired:  610-490-3990
3. Have your cash fare ready for the Community Transit driver and take your trip!
   

Things to remember about Community Transit's services:

• Community Transit's service is "Shared Ride", not a taxi service
• Advance registration, on a first-come, first-served basis is needed
• Rides are Available Monday through Saturday 6 a.m. until Midnight; and Sundays and Holidays 6 a.m. until 7 p.m.
• Best time to schedule trips is between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.
• Group trips may be arranged for any day and time, by special arrangement by calling Joy at 610-490-3977 ext. 2204.
• Rides are available for any non-emergency trip purpose

This article can be found at http://activerain.com/blogsview/82590/Delaware-County-Community-Transit