Always right on time

Many Newport Beach residents who can’t otherwise get around use Oasis Senior Center’s curb-to-curb shuttle program, which costs $2 each way. Libby Corathers stopped driving the day she turned 80. Not because her doctor, family, or friends made her -- she stopped on her own.

“I didn’t want someone to have to tell me to quit driving,” Corathers said.

Being without a vehicle hasn’t been a problem for the 83-year-old Corona del Mar resident or others in Newport Beach because of the Oasis shuttle program. With few restrictions -- only that the passenger must be older than 60 and live at home within the Newport Beach city limits -- the curb-to-curb van service has proven to be a time and stress saver.

“I don’t know what I’d do without it because the doctor says I can’t drive,” said 81-year-old Dolly Williams of Newport Beach.

She uses the shuttle program at least once a week to visit the beauty shop, buy her groceries and meet friends for lunch.

“They are always on time, and they always help with the groceries.”

When people lose the ability to drive, it’s difficult for many to accept that loss of independence and rely on family and friends to get them where they need to go. Williams said most seniors don’t like to call their children or neighbors every time they have a doctor’s appointment or need to make a trip to the pharmacy, so having the convenience of door-to-door van service makes life easier and helps them retain their independence.

“Right now, I’m using it five days a week because of my radiation for cancer,” Corathers said.

Every morning Blanca Parra or one of the other three full-time drivers picks her up at her home and drives her to the Hoag Cancer Center. And when she’s finished, Corathers can simply call the driver and ask him or her to come back and pick her up. The cost for the passenger is only $2 each way.

“The drivers -- they really have a challenging job,” said Susie MacGregor, special programs coordinator for the city’s Recreation and Senior Services Department. “They’re not just drivers, they have become educated in aging issues.... It’s very social-service oriented.”

MacGregor explained that it takes a special person to operate the shuttle because many of the seniors have special needs. Also, many of the passengers use the service frequently, so it’s important for the driver to build relationships with them and be understanding of their needs.

“I really like the people,” said Parra, who’s been operating the shuttle for eight years. “I like to talk to them -- they always have something to say.”

The service is run through the senior center and is subsidized through various grants from the city of Newport Beach, the Friends of Oasis, Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian and the Orange County Transportation Authority, MacGregor said. The city employs four full-time drivers to operate the three vans and the PT Cruiser used to take passengers, 1,100 each month, around Newport Beach.

The center asks that seniors who want to use the shuttle make reservations at least two to three days in advance. Services are available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. For information or to make a reservation, call (949) 644-3244.

20060107isp6fjncDON LEACH / DAILY PILOT(LA)Libby Corathers uses the Oasis Senior Center’s shuttle to get to Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian for medical treatment five days a week.