By Neil Farrell

Morro Bay senior citizens can take advantage of a new, free transportation service that started up last week operating out of the Community Center.
Chuck Stoll, the president of the Morro Bay Seniors, Inc., explained that the “Senior Transportation Program” or STP was really the brainchild of City Councilman Noah Smukler, and originated in response to the City’s cutting of the Dial-a-Ride system, changing from a door-to-door service to a “flexible” fixed route system. And like with Dial-a-Ride, money was a problem.
The City, he said, got a transportation grant in 2015 [some $44,000 split between FY 2013-14 and 2014-15], to do what other local communities are doing for their seniors. Cayucos and Cambria, in particular, have had senior shuttle programs for more than 20 years, said Stoll. “They’ve been quite successful up there,” he added.
Smukler and Councilwoman Christine Johnson headed up the effort on the City’s part. They approached the MB Seniors, which has offices in the Community Center offering various programs and services, but back then the board was not able to do it.
Then about 18 months ago, when Stoll became president, he and a new, energized board decided to get on board with the shuttle idea.
“I said, ‘this is to help seniors and that’s what our mission statement says we’re supposed to do,’” said Stoll, sitting inside the office where he pointed out new, dedicated phone lines that will be only used to reserve rides and to communicate with the volunteer drivers (ironically, while talking with a reporter, the dedicated driver’s line rang for the very first time. Stoll answered it and the call was a robo-call, sales pitch from Marriott Hotels, which elicited a few laughs).
With the City’s grant, he explained they were able to buy a 2013, 9-passenger Ford Econoline van, equipped with very comfortable captains chairs. Those needing a ride will have to call (805-225-1960) at least 48 hours ahead of time and between 9 a.m. and noon, on weekdays only.
People who’ve reserved a ride will get a confirmation call 24 hours before, Stoll said. A rider would call the driver’s line when ready to be picked up.
One big difference between this STP and the old Dial-a-Ride, besides being free, is this new service can take people outside the city, like for doctor’s appointments in SLO or even just to go shopping at Target. “Our priority is for doctor appointments, he said, “but will be used for anything, shopping, hair dresser, a movie. Our aim is to serve seniors.”
Riders must be ambulatory, he said, as the van is not equipped to accommodate people in wheelchairs.
There is no charge, Stoll said, but they will accept donations to help cover the gas and other expenses. As with all bus systems, scheduling will be a challenge and for now, they are just using a logbook and not a computer.
The service is reserved for people 55-older, Stoll said. And, “We’d prefer to help people who really need the service, and not just those who want to save on gas.” They will soon also have a website up and running for information and more.
All their drivers are volunteers, and because the van carries less than 10 passengers, they don’t need special licenses. Drivers do have DMV and background checks run on them.
“One prerequisite is you have to be an extremely good driver over a number of years,” he said. The City demanded they have a $2 million insurance policy and to indemnify the City as a condition to get the grant.
It’s unclear how long this will last, however, as the City has made no commitments for future funding. According to a City staff report from last November, “Aside from this initial funding, there is no fiscal impact to the general fund as the intent is the program would be self-sufficient, with no financial burden or expectation of continued funding to be placed on the City or Morro Bay Senior Citizens Inc. MBSCI would apply for and obtain its own donations, grants or other revenue sources as well as carry on its own future fund raising activities for the program.”