Transportation

Dial-A-Ride

WELCOME
TO
HOCKANUM VALLEY COMMUNITY COUNCIL
DIAL-A-RIDE PROGRAM!

FOR REGISTRATION, RESERVATIONS,
CANCELLATIONS AND DELAYS:

CALL (860) 870-7940

New riders can register between 8:30 AM and 4:00 PM any weekday by calling (860) 870-7940 and answering a few questions about yourself.

Vernon, Ellington, and Tolland residents who are at least 60 years of age, or disabled adults between the ages of 21 and 60, are qualified for the Dial-A-Ride service. The transportation is provided between 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM Monday through Friday, excluding holidays. The Dial-A-Ride travels to all locations in Vernon, Ellington, and Tolland. We also provide service in Manchester (within town only) and East Hartford (within town only). We are available for any purpose including medical appointments, shopping (on specific days), social and recreational appointments. Other trips are provided on a group basis.

To make a reservation call (860) 870-7940 between 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM. Reservations for medical appointments are taken up to 28 days in advance. All other reservations are taken up to 14 days in advance. You will need to reserve your ride both to the appointment and from the appointment. In order to provide a return ride you will need to estimate the duration of your stay at your appointment. If you are ready to return early let us know and we will try to return you early. If you are not going to be ready on time please try to call in advance of your pick up time so that the driver won't have to come back twice. Then when you are ready call us and we will reschedule your return. You will never be left stranded, but a wait may be necessary.

There is a $1.00 fee required for each trip. Round trips are $2.00. This fee is necessary to help us continue to operate Dial-A-Ride in the face of escalating fuel costs. Please have the exact amount ready at the time of pick-up, as your driver cannot make change.

We request that you be ready 15 minutes before your scheduled pick up time. This allows for more flexibility in scheduling so that more people can ride the bus. If possible, please wait where you can see the vehicle arrive. The drivers are instructed to wait only 5 minutes at each pick up point. Please be prompt.

Remember that you are not alone while you are riding the Dial-A-Ride system. The driver may make short diversions to pick-up other riders who are also going to a destination in same general area as you are. Please be patient, we are trying to accommodate as many riders as we can. If you have an appointment the driver is aware of it and will treat it as a priority.

When you call (860) 870-7940 you will be speaking with someone from the reservation staff at Hockanum Valley Community Council. The reservationists use a computer system to schedule rides. Once you have registered, your information is available instantly so the reservation staff will know your address and whether you need any special assistance in order to ride.

If you need to cancel a ride, please try to do so as far ahead as possible. If you cancel at the last minute, it may mean that someone else was refused a ride that could have been provided. Please call (860) 870-7940 to cancel your ride. Cancellations can be made 24 hours a day by calling (860) 870-7940 and leaving a message on the answering machine. Please do not leave reservations on answering machine.

Please note that flexibility on timing may be needed, but every attempt will be made to try and accommodate your request for a ride. We also ask you to remember that Dial-A-Ride does not provide emergency services.

In inclement weather, when Vernon schools are delayed due to weather, the Dial-A-Ride will be delayed for a least 90 minutes. If schools in Vernon are cancelled, Dial-A-Ride will be delayed at least until 11:00 a.m., when a decision will be made about whether to cancel rides. You can get cancellation information by listening to WFSB Channel 3.

Remember that you are always encouraged to voice any concerns you may have to the driver, reservation staff, or to a supervisor when necessary. Any issue you raise will be promptly addressed and will help us offer the best possible service to all of our riders.

Vernon Shopping Bus Schedule

Tuesday:	9:30 AM - 11:30 AM Stop & Shop, Rockville
Wednesday:	Price Chopper, Super Stop & Shop or KMart 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM

 

Medical Rides to Manchester

Thursday only (Must be over 60 or a disabled adult over 21.)

 

Do you have a good driving record and some time to spare? Do you know the area of Vernon, Tolland and/or Ellington well? Would you like to make a few extra dollars while meeting and helping people? Call Carol at 860-870-7940. She will instruct you on how to obtain a passenger endorsement and will train you to operate the Dial-A-Ride vehicles.