WARREN — With Western Reserve Transit Authority fixed routes in Trumbull County set to begin March 2, changes are coming to transportation services offered through the Trumbull County senior levy fund.

Diane Siskowic-Jurkovic, Trumbull County senior levy fund administrator, said beginning in April, transportation through senior levy services will include a fare.

“It was an eye-opening experience to find out what need is out there,” Siskowic-Jurkovic said. “The demand can’t be met with the current senior levy.”

All medical trips will be $1 one-way, including out-of-county trips up to 30 miles from the point of pickup. Riders will have to pay for the additional miles at the rate that the senior levy pays contracted vendors, which Siskowic-Jurkovic estimates will be about $2.50 per mile under a new contract.

In-county, nonmedical rides for seniors and people with disabilities will be $3 one way, or $6 round-trip, with a limit of 12 miles from the pickup location.

Siskowic-Jurkovic said the changes come in an attempt to cut costs. The senior levy, which has been collecting the same amount of money since its beginning in 2005, generates about $2.4 million per year — $450,000 of which is budgeted for transportation services. The remaining money goes toward other services for seniors and persons with disabilities, including in-home services, providing lawn care and snow removal and adult-day care, as well as helping to fund senior centers around the county.

But, if the transportation service continues to operate as it did last year, it would cost more than $1 million in levy money, said Siskowic-Jurkovic.

“We can’t rob other services to pay for transportation,” Siskowic-Jurkovic said. “Let’s just try to operate more efficiently and make sure people are using the right services.”

Seniors can get more information about possible ride services through Direction Home of Eastern Ohio — formerly Area Agency on Aging 11 — by calling 330-505-2300. Direction Home provides some transportation services through its Title III program.

The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services — which has local offices in Trumbull and Mahoning counties — also provides rides to medical appointments to eligible seniors through a Medicaid waiver program.

Seniors can take advantage of reduced rates offered through the WRTA, both for their fixed route system in Warren, and for on-demand all-county ride service.

Seniors over the age of 62 and people with disabilities can apply for a WRTA issued senior / disability ID card by bringing a birth certificate or state ID to Federal Station, 309 W Commerce St, Youngstown, according to WRTA Director of Transportation Judy Rodriguez. IDs are printed on site.

Rodriguez suggested seniors take advantage of free bus service which will be offered to everyone during the first week of the WRTA’s Trumbull County route, starting March 2. Rodriguez said riders can take the Warren Express to Federal Station to get senior / disability IDs.

WRTA senior / disability card holders receive a reduced fare of 60 cents per ride or a $1.50 day pass for fixed routes, or $21 for a 31-day pass. Thirty-one day passes can be purchased through the EZ Fare App, or in person at Federal Station. Starting March 1, Federal Station will be open weekdays 7 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

WRTA also offers an Americans with Disabilities Act All-Access service and county-wide door-to-door for eligible seniors and persons with qualifying disabilities. To apply for the services, call the WRTA at (330) 744-8431 and an application will be mailed. It may take up to 21 days for the application to be processed.

ADA All-Access will pick up at the rider’s home and transport her or him to any destination within the area covered by WRTA’s fixed route service for $2 one-way, according to the WRTA website. County-wide door-to-door service is $2.50 one-way with a senior discount.

WRTA will not operate on the weekends in Trumbull County, but Trumbull County Transit Administrator Michael Salamone is seeking bids to continue offering weekend service through a system similar to the one Trumbull County Transit currently uses. He said the service may be made possible through “leftover” funds. In January, Trumbull County Transit spent around $10,000 less than expected.

Current Trumbull County Transit service for non-seniors will continue through Feb. 29.

Current ride services available through the senior levy and its vendors — Comfort Care-A-Van, 330-744-4145; All American USA Taxi, 330-395-3226; Country Neighbor, 440-437-6311; and Garwin, 330-534-1335 — will continue through March 31.

avugrincic<\@>tritboday.com