Residents urge Sequim council to explore subsidized rides and microtransit for seniors
Loading...
Summary
Multiple residents asked the council to study options such as ride-hailing vouchers or extending microtransit to areas currently ineligible, citing high ride costs and an aging local population.
During public comment, Sequim residents urged the council to explore subsidized transportation options for older adults who may soon stop driving.
Judith Pascoe, who identified herself as a Sequim resident, said she has driven for 62 years but has experienced recent near-misses and is considering voluntarily stopping driving. Pascoe said she contacted Clallam Transit and was told eligibility often requires being 80 or disabled. She also described the local limits of a microtransit service (Pingo) and cited ride-hailing costs: "Uber ... costs $20 to $24 each way," which she said would be ‘‘a real drain’’ for frequent medical trips.
Chatoya Dela Torre spoke in support, saying she and others live on Social Security and cannot afford repeated $40 round trips to medical appointments, and offered to help the city research options. Annette Hanson provided a separate public comment about an upcoming Sequim Sister City cultural and education exchange for International Day of Education.
Council did not commit to a specific program during the meeting but acknowledged the issue and the offer of volunteers to help research options such as voucher programs, microtransit extension, and partnerships with transit agencies.
Next steps: staff to note public comment and may include transportation alternatives for seniors in future planning or budget discussions.
