Introduction
Transcription
Introduction
Introduction CarShare Vermont developed this Transportation Resource Guide as a part of our new MobilityShare program. MobilityShare provides financial assistance to income-qualifying individuals and families interested in joining CarShare Vermont. The program strives to make our service even more affordable by offering a free annual membership, reduced driving rates, and a series of free financial trainings. With the launch of MobilityShare, we realized that our community needed a one-stop transportation resource that could help individuals and families plan how to get where they need to go in a convenient, reliable, and affordable way. This guide identifies a variety of transportation resources within Chittenden County that are available to help people meet a variety of transportation needs. When these resources are combined, they can make car ownership unnecessary for many – this saves money and hassles without limiting mobility or freedom. How to get started with the guide The first step is to start to think about your overall transportation needs and any challenges you face meeting them. The more specific you can get the easier it will be to start matching your individual transportation needs with the resources available in our community. The second step is to start to think about your transportation budget (see pg.12). On average, transportation is the second highest living expense for Vermonters (18% or more of total household income), so it is definitely worth paying attention to and taking time to plan for and budget. Over the next week, start to track how much you currently spend on transportation. Is your current transportation spending sustainable for your budget? If not, are there areas where you can cut back and use a less expensive option? Once you have a sense of your overall transportation needs and challenges, as well as your current transportation spending, this guide can help you identify transportation options that don’t break the bank while still offering the flexibility and convenience everyone needs. While using this guide, keep in mind that personal car ownership may not be the best option for everyone. When you factor in the cost of maintenance, insurance, registration, and gas, car ownership can quickly become more of a hassle and financial drain than it’s worth. 1 How This Guide Works This guide is divided into five main sections: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Getting to Work Running Errands Getting to Appointments Long Distance Travel Fun Trips! Each section covers the transportation resources that work best for the task at hand and gives you a general sense of costs (see Cost Key below). It also refers you to the specific page in the back of the guide where you can find detailed information about each transportation option and how to access it. Cost Key: $ Low cost $$ Medium cost $$$ High cost Average cost per mile estimates: $ Low cost (.04 - .17 cents/mile), $$ Medium cost (.20 - .38 cents/mile), $$$ High cost (.50 - .83 cents/mile). Cost key based on findings from Victoria Transport Policy Institute Transportation Cost and Benefit Analysis II – Vehicle Costs, March 2011 (www.vtpi.org). Section 1: Getting to Work In a rural state like Vermont, getting to work each day can be a challenge. Luckily, there are a number of local resources to help get you where you need to go each day. • Walk/Bike – $ Walking or biking to work can be a great option if you live within a couple miles of your workplace. It can help you stay active and healthy while reducing transportation costs. If you are planning to bike or walk to work, keep in mind what kind of gear you may need to travel in rainy or snowy weather, and to haul personal items. Resources: o Local Motion/Bike Recycle VT pg.13 Low cost refurbished bikes for income eligible residents Safety gear coupons for helmets, lights, and reflective gear Tips and trainings on bike commuting Free bike/walk maps for planning your route o Old Spokes Home pg.13 Used bikes, bike repair, tune ups, and parts for sale o CATMA Bike/Walk Rewards Program pg.13 Employees of the American Red Cross, UVM, Champlain, and Fletcher Allen earn rewards for walking or biking to work o Bicycle Benefits Program pg.14 2 • Participants earn discounts at local businesses for biking & wearing a helmet with the Bicycle Benefits sticker Bus - $ In Chittenden County we are very fortunate to have regular bus service offered by the Chittenden County Transportation Association (CCTA). If your workplace is on a regular or Link Express bus route and you work regular business hours, this can be a great option. Using the bus may become a challenge if you work late night hours or need to commute on the weekends when bus service is limited. Resources: o CCTA pg.14 Milton and 116 Commuter routes & Express Links to Montpelier, St. Albans, and Middlebury Bus schedules now available on Google Maps to help plan your route o CATMA Transit Subsidies Program pg.15 Discounted or free fares on CCTA for employees of the American Red Cross, UVM, Champlain, City of Burlington, and Fletcher Allen o Joint Urban Ministry Project (JUMP) pg.15 Contact JUMP for free bus vouchers • Carpool/Vanpool - $$ Carpooling or vanpooling is a great way to save money, reduce wear and tear on your vehicle, and meet new people. Sharing a ride with one other person can cut commuting costs by up to 50%! Resources: o GO Vermont pg.17 Free carpool/vanpool matching service & other benefits for registered users o Hinesburg Rides pg.17 Assists Hinesburg residents with meet daily transportation needs o CATMA RidesWork/Carpool pg.17 Matching services for employees of the American Red Cross, State of Vermont, UVM, Champlain College, and Fletcher Allen o Good News Garage Ready To Go Van Service pg.17 Provides transportation to work, job training, and childcare for eligible Reach Up participants • Car-Sharing - $$ Although car-sharing is not cost effective for everyday commuting, if you can get to work using one of the modes mentioned above, car-sharing is perfect for running a quick daytime errand or as a back up in an emergency. It offers the ease of mind of having access to a car without the high commuting costs. Resource: o CarShare Vermont pg.16 3 • CarShare Vermont’s MobilityShare program offers a free membership and reduced driving rates to income eligible individuals and families for 1 year. See the back of guide for full program requirements. Personal Car Ownership - $$$ According to AAA, in 2011 it cost on average $8,775 per year to own and operate a personal vehicle. However, owning a car may be necessary if you are not able to commute to work using the other options mentioned, or if you need to drive more than 10,000 miles per year to meet your basic transportation needs. If you do need to own a car, check out these resources below so you can get the best deal possible. Resources: o Good News Garage pg.19 Personal vehicles provided to eligible Reach Up participants o Car Coach pg.19 Assists Reach Up and Voc Rehab participants with finding safe and reliable vehicles and setting up financing and purchasing. o More than Wheels pg.20 Helps individuals get the best deal on a reliable and fuel-efficient car by negotiating with dealers to secure the lowest price & interest rates. o Joint Urban Ministry Project (JUMP) pg.20 Contact JUMP for free gasoline vouchers. o Opportunities Credit Union pg.20 Low interest loans given to low to moderate income Vermonters for used car purchases. Section 2: Running Errands (i.e. grocery shopping, going to the Laundromat, picking up/dropping off kids, etc) We all have to juggle multiple commitments and responsibilities. Creating a transportation plan that is cost effective and efficient can reduce stress and help life run a little more smoothly. • Car-sharing - $$ Car-sharing offers the freedom of car use without the burden and cost of car ownership. As a CarShare Vermont member you have 24/7 access to a network of new and reliable vehicles parked throughout Burlington (and coming soon to Winooski & South Burlington). Gas, insurance, and maintenance costs are included in the low driving rates. More than 350,000 people share cars in the U.S. (and 700 right here in Vermont!) as an alternative to car ownership. It is a convenient, reliable, fun, and affordable way to get around! Resource: o CarShare Vermont pg. 16 4 • CarShare Vermont’s MobilityShare program offers a free membership and reduced driving rates to income eligible individuals and families for 1 year. See the back of the guide for full program requirements. Bus - $ Using the bus system when possible to run errands is a great way to reduce transportation costs. Sturdy folding carts with wheels can make it easier to haul large items. Resources: o CCTA pg.14 Shopping Specials for residents at senior housing complexes in Burlington, South Burlington, and Winooski Reduced rates for kids o SSTA pg.14 Transportation for the elderly & people with disabilities who are not able to use regular bus or taxi services o Joint Urban Ministry Project (JUMP) pg.15 Contact JUMP for free bus vouchers • Walk/Bike – $ If you are planning to run errands by bike or foot consider resources that can help lighten the load. Bike trailers or wagons are a great way to haul items and can often be purchased secondhand (check ReStore, Craigslist, etc). Resources: o Local Motion/Bike Recycle VT pg.13 Low cost refurbished bikes for income eligible residents Safety gear coupons for helmets, lights, and reflective gear Free use of bike trailers for Local Motion members o Old Spokes Home pg.13 Used bikes, bike repair, tune ups, and parts for sale o Bicycle Benefits Program pg.14 Participants earn discounts at local businesses for biking & wearing a helmet with the Bicycle Benefits sticker • Taxi - $$$ Taxis can be very helpful when you need tailored, on-demand service. However, costs can add up quickly! Resources: o Green Cab pg.18 o Benways pg.18 Senior discounts to residents of Burlington and South Burlington o Yellow Cab pg.18 o Dunwright Taxi pg.18 5 • Personal Car Ownership - $$$ If you primarily need a car to run errands, owning one is convenient, but it is also very expensive. Also, when you own a car you also tend to drive more which makes costs add up fast. If you do drive, planning out your trips ahead of time and running multiple errands at once can reduce excessive car use and save you money. Resources: o Good News Garage pg.19 Personal vehicles provided to eligible Reach Up participants o Car Coach pg.19 Assists Reach Up and Voc Rehab participants with finding safe and reliable vehicles and setting up financing and purchasing. o More than Wheels pg.20 Helps individuals get the best deal on a reliable and fuel-efficient car by negotiating with dealers to secure the lowest price & interest rate. o Joint Urban Ministry Project (JUMP) pg.20 Contact JUMP for free gasoline vouchers o Opportunities Credit Union pg.20 Low interest loans given to low to moderate income Vermonters for used car purchases. Section 3: Getting to Appointments (i.e. doctors, job interviews, etc) Reliable transportation is essential when you need to be on time and make a good impression. However, getting where you need to go doesn’t mean having to own a personal vehicle. • Walk/Bike – $ Walking or biking is a great option because it allows you to travel at your own pace. However, if you are on a tight schedule it is wise to plan ahead. Mapping out your route ahead of time can help you determine how long it will take to get to your destination so you can give yourself plenty of time to make the trip. Try Google Maps using the walker calculation. Resources: o Local Motion/Bike Recycle VT pg.13 Low cost refurbished bikes for income eligible residents Safety gear coupons for helmets, lights, and reflective gear o Old Spokes Home pg.13 Used bikes, bike repair, tune ups, and parts for sale o Bicycle Benefits Program pg.14 Participants earn discounts at local businesses for biking & wearing a helmet with the Bicycle Benefits sticker 6 • Bus - $ CCTA offers a number of great bus routes to help you get where you need to go. Make sure to arrive at your bus stop or the Cherry Street terminal 5-10min early to avoid missing your desired departure. Resources: o CCTA pg.14 Bus schedules now available on Google Maps to help you plan your route o SSTA pg.14 Transportation for the elderly & people with disabilities who are not able to use regular bus or taxi services o Joint Urban Ministry Project (JUMP) pg.15 Contact JUMP for free bus vouchers • Car-sharing - $$ Getting to appointments is a great use for car-sharing. It allows you to travel on your own schedule and can help you get to places that are not as accessible by other modes. Resource: o CarShare Vermont pg.16 CarShare Vermont’s MobilityShare program offers a free membership and reduced driving rates to income eligible individuals and families for 1 year. See the back of the guide for full program requirements. • Taxi - $$$ Taxis are great when you are in a pinch, but again, costs can add up fast. Take a cab to your appointment if you are short on time, and then you can always plan to walk or catch a bus home. Resources: o Green Cab pg.18 o Benways pg.18 Senior discounts to residents of Burlington and South Burlington o Yellow Cab pg.18 o Dunwright Taxi pg.18 • Personal Car Ownership - $$$ Again, it all comes down to weighing convenience verses cost…And the good news is, with car-sharing as an option, you can still have the convenience of a car at a fraction of the cost! Resources: o Good News Garage pg.19 Personal vehicles provided to eligible Reach Up participants 7 o Car Coach pg.19 Assists Reach Up and Voc Rehab participants with finding safe and reliable vehicles and setting up financing and purchasing. o More than Wheels pg.20 Helps individuals get the best deal on a reliable and fuel-efficient car by negotiating with dealers to secure the lowest price & interest rate. o Joint Urban Ministry Project (JUMP) pg.20 Contact JUMP for free gasoline vouchers. o Opportunities Credit Union pg.20 Low interest loans given to low to moderate income Vermonters for used car purchases. Section 4: Long Distance Travel When you need to travel out of town, whether to visit family in another part of the state or head to Boston for the weekend, consider the resources below. • Bus - $ Traveling by bus to NYC or Boston is now more affordable than ever with the addition of the Mega Bus. Book your tickets in advance to lock in the biggest savings. Resources: o Mega bus pg.15 Low cost fares to Boston, NYC, and other cities in the northeast o Greyhound pg.15 o CCTA pg.14 Link Express routes to Middlebury, Montpelier, and St. Albans Green Mountain Transit Agency for bus routes in Central Vermont • Car-sharing - $$ CarShare Vermont offers daily driving rates, which include gas, insurance, and roadside assistance. Resource: o CarShare Vermont pg.16 CarShare Vermont’s MobilityShare program offers a free membership and reduced driving rates to income eligible individuals and families for 1 year. See the back of the guide for full program requirements. • Car Rental - $$ If you are going out of town for an extended trip, shop around for the best deal and compare the cost of a traditional car rental to car-sharing. Remember to factor in car insurance and gas when comparing prices. Resources: o Majestic pg.18 8 o Thrifty pg.19 o Airport Rentals pg.19 • Train -$$ In the mood for a long relaxing ride? The train can be a great option! Bring a book, put up your feet, and enjoy the scenery! Resource: o Amtrak pg.18 Travel anywhere in VT for $12 (one-way fare) • Personal Car Ownership - $$$ If your car is in good shape traveling long distances is a breeze, however, if it’s on the fritz heading out of town can quickly become a headache waiting to happen. If you want to avoid unnecessary wear and tear on your vehicle consider the options above first. Resources: o Good News Garage pg.19 Personal vehicles provided to eligible Reach Up participants o Car Coach pg.19 Assists Reach Up and Voc Rehab participants with finding safe and reliable vehicles and setting up financing and purchasing. o More than Wheels pg.20 Helps individuals get the best deal on a reliable and fuel-efficient car by negotiating with dealers to secure the lowest price & interest rate. o Joint Urban Ministry Project (JUMP) pg.20 Contact JUMP for free gasoline vouchers. o Opportunities Credit Union pg.20 Low interest loans given to low to moderate income Vermonters for used car purchases. Section 5: Fun Trips! And last, but not least, when you want to connect with friends and family to have fun, these resources can help you get there! • Walk/Bike – $ In Burlington we have a really fun landscape to explore. Whether it is spending an afternoon in Oakledge Park, lounging at North Beach, or taking a ride on the bike path, enjoying the great outdoors is a wonderful way to stay healthy and active while having fun! Resources: o Local Motion/Bike Recycle VT pg.13 Low cost refurbished bikes for income eligible residents Safety gear coupons for helmets, lights, and reflective gear 9 Free bike/walk maps for planning your next outdoor adventure! o Old Spokes Home pg.13 Used bikes, repair, and parts for sale o Bicycle Benefits Program pg.14 Participants earn discounts at local businesses for biking & wearing a helmet with the Bicycle Benefits sticker • Bus - $ Take a trip to Montpelier to see the state capital building, explore downtown Middlebury, or visit Shelburne Museum. These are all fun places you can travel to by bus! Resources: o CCTA pg.14 Bus schedules now available on Google Maps to help you plan your route o Joint Urban Ministry Project (JUMP) pg.15 Contact JUMP for free bus vouchers • Car-sharing - $$ Planning a family trip to the water park at Jaypeak? Going to see a 3D movie in Essex? CarShare Vermont can be a cost-effective and convenient way to plan those fun outings that require a little more travel flexibility. Resource: o CarShare Vermont pg.16 CarShare Vermont’s MobilityShare program offers a free membership and reduced driving rates to income eligible individuals and families for 1 year. See the back of the guide for full program requirements. • Personal Car Ownership - $$$ What can we say, road trips are a blast! Just remember to bring your atlas, good music, and plenty of snacks for the ride. Resources: o Good News Garage pg.19 Personal vehicles provided to eligible Reach Up participants o Car Coach pg.19 Assists Reach Up and Voc Rehab participants with finding safe and reliable vehicles and setting up financing and purchasing. o More than Wheels pg.20 Helps individuals get the best deal on a reliable and fuel-efficient car by negotiating with dealers to secure the lowest price & interest rate. o Joint Urban Ministry Project (JUMP) pg.20 Contact JUMP for free gasoline vouchers. 10 o Opportunities Credit Union pg.20 Low interest loans given to low to moderate income Vermonters for used car purchases. Becoming Multi-Modal Combining transportation modes can be a great way to get around. Get creative and try something new! Here are a couple multi-modal scenarios: • Put your bike on the bus! Pedal up to the closest bus stop and put your bike on the bus. This works well if the bus can take you most of the way but you need a little extra help to go the final distance. • Ride the bus to a CarShare Vermont car! Walk to the bus stop, hop on a CCTA bus, and get a ride to the closest CarShare Vermont pod. Take the car to run your errand and then take the bus back home. Conclusion We hope that this guide was useful and has helped introduce you to a variety of transportation options. Thankfully, there are a lot of great choices in our community so there doesn’t have to be a one-size-fits-all approach to getting around. In the following pages you will find a Transportation Resource Index, which includes the list of all the organizations we mentioned in the guide, what services they provide, and how to access them. We have also included some budgeting worksheets to help you plan out the most cost effective way to get from here to there. Good luck & Safe Travels! Your friends at CarShare Vermont 11 Budgeting for Transportation It is helpful to develop a system for tracking spending on transportation so that you are able to develop an accurate and realistic transportation budget. Take a moment to answer the following questions and fill in the chart below: What are 5 most common trips you take? What is the estimated distance and amount of time it takes to complete the trip? What is the usual time of day? Do the trips occur on weekdays or weekends? How many times do you make this trip each week/month/year? What transportation mode do you currently use to meet this need at what is the cost/trip? Cost/month? What is one alternative option you could use? What is the cost/trip? Cost/month? Common Trips Distance round trip Duration of trip Time of Day Weekday or Weekend How Often Cost/Trip Current Mode Cost/ Month Current Mode Cost/ Trip Alt. Mode Cost/ Month Alt. mode Ex. Grocery Shopping 7 miles 1.5hrs Evening Weekend Once per week Taxi $18 $72 Mobility Share $7 $28 What is your total transportation costs/month for all trips using your current mode(s)? $______ What would your total transportation costs/month be using an alternative mode(s)? $_______ My new monthly transportation budget is $_______ 12 Transportation Resource Index Walk/ Bike Resources: Local Motion/Bike Recycle VT Bike Recycle Vermont refurbishes bicycles and sells them to income eligible Vermonters. Recipients receive a bike, helmet, and lock for a minimum of a $25 donation. Local Motion also offers $6 safety gear coupons for the purchase of lights, reflective gear, etc. Check out Local Motion’s Trailside Center on the waterfront to pick up free maps and to get advice on commuting and recreating by foot and bicycle! Location: Bike Recycle Vermont 664 Riverside Avenue Burlington, VT 05401 Hours: Tuesday – Friday 1-5pm Local Motion’s Trailside Center on the Waterfront Bike Path 1 Steele Street Burlington, VT 05401 Hours: May, June, Sept, Oct: !10am-6pm! Jul, Aug: !9am-6pm Contact Info: Bike Recycle Vermont - 802.264.9687 Trailside Center - (802) 652.2453 www.localmotion.org Old Spokes Home Old Spokes Home sells a large variety of used and vintage bikes, bike-commuting gear, and bike parts. They also offer bike repair and tune up services. Location: 322 N. Winooski Ave. Burlington, VT 05401 Summer Hours: Monday – Saturday 10am6pm & Sunday 11am-5pm Contact Info: (802)-863-4475 [email protected] CATMA Bike/Walk Reward Program Employees of the American Red Cross, Champlain College, Fletcher Allen Health Care and the University of Vermont who are eligible for employer-paid benefits can register to participate in the CATMA Bike/Walk Reward Program. The program requires the employee to walk and/or bike to and from work at least three days each week for two 4-week periods. Employees record the dates on a tracking card and return the card to the CATMA office to redeem a reward. Contact Info: 802.656.RIDE (7433) [email protected] http://www.catmavt.org/ 13 Bicycle Benefits Contact Info: Bicycle Benefits participants earn discounts To find a list of participating business visit at local businesses for biking and wearing a http://www.bicyclebenefits.org/ helmet with the Bicycle Benefits sticker. You can purchase a sticker for $5 at Local Motion’s Trailside Center on the Burlington Bike Path. Bus Resources: CCTA CCTA’s mission is to promote and operate safe, convenient, accessible, innovative and sustainable public transportation services in the northwest and central Vermont region that reduce congestion and pollution, encourage transit oriented development and enhance the quality of life for all. CCTA offers fixed bus routes, commuter shuttles, ADA and paratransit services, Link Express services to Montpelier, Middlebury, and St. Albans. CCTA also offer services to central Vermont through the Green Mountain Transit Agency. Contact Info & Pre-purchase tickets at: (802) 864-2282 www.cctaride.org General fares: $1.25/One-way, $10/10-ride ticket, $50/ Monthly pass Discounted fares: $.60/One-way, $6/10-ride ticket, $25/Monthly pass *Available for children age 6-17, seniors, and people with disabilities Link Express fares: $4/One-way, $40/10-ride ticket, $150/Monthly pass SSTA Special Services Transportation Agency (SSTA) is a private non-profit corporation that provides accessible transportation services within Chittenden County for the elderly and people with disabilities. Contact info: (802) 878-1527 [email protected] Hours: Office open for scheduling rides Monday - Friday 8am-5pm Rates: Call for current rates & ask about Medicaid waivers 14 CATMA Transit Subsidies Program Employees of the American Red Cross, Fletcher Allen Health Care, the City of Burlington, as well as students, faculty, and staff at Champlain College, and the University of Vermont receive discounted or free fares on CCTA buses. Contact Info: (802) 656-7433 [email protected] http://www.catmavt.org/ Mega Bus Mega Bus offers low-cost, express bus service for city-to-city travel for as low as $1. The Burlington Mega Bus stop provides service to Amherst, Boston, Hartford, New York City, and Saratoga Springs. Contact Info: 1-877-462-6342 http://us.megabus.com/Default.aspx Greyhound Greyhound provides intercity bus transportation across North America. Contact Info: 1-800-231-2222 https://www.greyhound.com/farefinder/ste p1.aspx Joint Urban Ministry Project (JUMP) JUMP operates a drop-in emergency assistance center on weekday mornings, and offers financial assistance with basic needs through vouchers at local businesses. Vouchers can be used for bus passes among other household needs. Location: First Congregational Church 38 South Winooski Ave. Burlington, VT 05401 Discounted Fares: Fletcher Allen – 50% subsidy on monthly and 10-ride, 25% on Link American Red Cross – 50% on all passes City of Burlington –Free 10-ride or monthly pass UVM/Champlain – All students, faculty, and staff ride for free Hours: Tuesday-Friday 9am to 12pm First 17 people in line served Tuesday & Wednesday and first 11 Thursday & Friday Contact Info: (802) 862-4501 http://jumpvt.org/home.html 15 Car-sharing Resources: CarShare Vermont CarShare Vermont’s mission is to provide an affordable, convenient, and reliable alternative to private car ownership that enhances the environmental, economic, and social wellbeing of our region and planet. Our vision is a region in which individuals, businesses, and other organizations meet their transportation needs while owning fewer vehicles, and as a result improve the environment, enhance community health, and save money. Location: 131 St. Paul Street Burlington, VT 05401 Hours – 9am-5pm Contact Info: (802) 861-2340 [email protected] www.carsharevt.org CarShare Vermont’s MobilityShare program provides financial assistance to incomequalifying individuals and families interested in joining CarShare Vermont. MobilityShare participants receive a free membership, waived application fee, and reduced driving rates for 1 year. The MobilityShare program is available to low-income individuals and families who meet the following requirements: • • • • • You are at least 21 years old. You have a valid driver’s license with at least two consecutive years of driving history (no suspensions) and a clean record. Your household income does not exceed 60% of median income in Chittenden County (we can help you determine this). You must complete a series of free financial education classes offered by the Champlain Valley Office of Economic Opportunity’s Financial Future’s Program. You have a credit or debit card for payment (if you do not have a credit or debit card, we can help you attain one). 16 Carpool/Vanpool Resources: Go Vermont Go Vermont is a resource for commuters who want to reduce the cost and environmental impact of driving. The program features a free carpool/vanpool matching service, ridesharing tips, and other practical information on getting around by biking, walking, bus, train and ferry. In addition to a free carpool/vanpool matching service, Go Vermont also provides a guaranteed ride home benefit and participants are entered in to drawings to win free movie tickets, gas cards, restaurant or shopping gift certificates. Contact Info: 1-800-685-7433 [email protected] http://www.connectingcommuters.org/ Hinesburg Rides Contact Info: Hinesburg Rides is a program designed to (802) 482-2778 address the transportation needs of www.hinesburg.org Hinesburg residents, employees, and employers. The program provides rides to doctors’ appointments, therapy, grocery store, post office, bank, and other approved needs. CATMA Carpools/RidesWork By calling CATMA, employees of the American Red Cross, Fletcher Allen, the State of Vermont, UVM, and Champlain College can access a database of employees that currently commute and either have an existing carpool to join or that are looking for a match. Contact Info: (802) 656-7433 [email protected] http://www.catmavt.org/ Good News Garage Ready to Go Van Service Ready To Go is a transportation program available to eligible Reach Up participants. It provides rides to work, job training opportunities, and childcare. Location: 331 North Winooski Avenue Burlington, VT 05401 Contact Info: 1-877-448-3288 17 Taxi Resources Green Cab Contact Info: (802) 316-0700 [email protected] http://greencabvt.com/index.html Benways Benways offers a Senior VIP Pass Program for residents of Burlington and South Burlington age 62 or older. Pass holders receive a $1 off the normal fee for rides within Burlington and South Burlington. Contact Info: (802) 862-1010 [email protected] http://www.benways.com/ Yellow Cab Contact Info: (802) 862-3300 Dunwright Taxi Contact Info: (802) 760-7666 http://www.dunwrighttaxi.com/index.html Train Resource: Amtrak Contact Info: The Vermonter runs daily between 1-800-USA-RAIL (1-800-872-7245) Washington, DC and St. Albans, in Northern http://www.amtrak.com/ Vermont. It begins in DC and runs through New York City to Connecticut, Massachusetts and New Hampshire. Car Rental Resources: Majestic Location: 616 South Willard Street Burlington, Vermont 05401 Contact Info: (802) 860-7300 http://www.rentmajestic.com/ 18 Thrifty Location: 1700 Williston Rd. South Burlington, VT 05403 Contact Info: 1-877- 283-0898 Airport Rentals: National Enterprise Alamo Budget Avis Budget Location: 1200 Airport Drive South Burlington, VT 05403 Contact Info: National – 1-800-227-7368 Enterprise - 1-800-325-8007 Alamo - 1-800-327-9633 Budget – 1-800-527-0700 Avis - 1-800-331-1212 Budget - 1-800-654-3131 Car Ownership Resources: Good News Garage The mission of Good News Garage is to create economic opportunity by providing affordable and reliable transportation options for people in need. Individuals can qualify for a vehicle through the Reach Up program when referred by the Department of Children and Families. The Ready To Go van service is also available to help Reach Up participants get to work, job interviews, job training, or to access childcare. Location: 331 North Winooski Avenue Burlington, VT 05401 Car Coach The Vermont Car Coach Project is a partnership between the Central Vermont Community Action Council, the Vermont Department for Children Contact Info: 1-800-639-1053 (802) 479-1053 http://www.cvcac.org/index.php/transportation Contact Info: 1-877-448-3288 19 and Families, and Voc Rehab Vermont. It assists Reach Up and Voc Rehab participants throughout Vermont who are employed or close to securing employment with finding safe and reliable vehicles and setting up financing and purchasing. A referral from a Reach Up or Voc Rehab case manager is required. More than Wheels More Than Wheels is a nonprofit organization that helps people get the best deal on a reliable and fuel-efficient car by negotiating with dealers to secure the lowest price and providing the lowest interest rate available. They also provide personal financial education to help people improve and maintain their financial stability—now and in the future. Contact Info: 1-866-455-2522 www.morethanwheels.org Joint Urban Ministry Project (JUMP) JUMP operates a drop-in emergency assistance center on weekday mornings, and offers financial assistance with basic needs through vouchers at local businesses. Vouchers can be used for gasoline vouchers among other household needs. Location: First Congregational Church 38 South Winooski Ave. Burlington, VT 05401 Hours: Tuesday-Friday 9am to 12pm First 17 people in line served Tuesday & Wednesday and first 11 Thursday & Friday Contact Info: (802) 862-4501 http://jumpvt.org/home.html Opportunities Credit Union Opportunities Credit Union offers lowinterest loans and low monthly payments for used car. They also offer assistance creating a budget and building credit to assist the applicant in achieving loan approval. Location: 92 North Avenue Burlington, VT 05401 Hours: Monday-Thursday: 9:00am-5:00pm; Friday: 9:00am-6:00pm Contact Info: 1-800-865-8328 20 General Resources Champlain Valley Office of Economic Opportunity (CVOEO) The Mission of CVOEO is to address fundamental issues of economic, social, and racial justice and to work with lowincome people to achieve economic independence. CVOEO is one of five Community Action Agencies in Vermont. CVOEO serves primarily the northwestern corner of the state -- Franklin, Grand Isle, Chittenden, and Addison Counties. The three Coordinated Statewide Housing Services programs of CVOEO (the Fair Housing Project, the Mobile Home Project, and Vermont Tenants, Inc.) serve residents statewide. Location: 255 South Champlain Street Burlington, VT 05401 Contact Info: (802) 862-2771 or 1-800-287-7971 (Voice/TDD) http://www.cvoeo.org/index.html Vermont 211 Contact Info: Vermont 2-1-1 provides all people in Dial 2-1-1 Vermont with free access to community http://www.vermont211.org/ resources through information and referral. This access includes personal assistance by telephone and online through a searchable database of services. 21