On the Road Again...
Removing Transportation Roadblocks in The County

Through a grant from the Maine Health Access Foundation (MEHAF), ACHIP is working with the Aroostook Regional Transportation System (ARTS) and Northern Light AR Gould Hospital to improve the experience of using public transit for non-emergency medical appointments. A key part of this project is the launch of a new weekly transit route from Houlton to Presque Isle, expected to begin later this month, that will give residents easier access to specialty care. To make the service more convenient and comfortable, the project includes coordinated scheduling between doctor’s offices and the transit route, designated waiting areas at the hospital, and meal vouchers for passengers who are at AR Gould over the lunch hour. This kind of support helps remove the stress and uncertainty that often come with medical travel in rural areas—and makes public transit a more realistic option for older adults and others who may not have access to a personal vehicle. Once established, this model will expand to serve additional practices and routes across The County, helping more people get the care they need without having to worry about how they’ll get there.

​

Another grant, provided by the Maine Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Aging and Disability Services, is supporting the development of a volunteer driver network designed to help individuals from across Aroostook County access our Adult Day Services program. Many families face significant challenges getting their loved ones to and from care, especially outside of the Presque Isle region – the costs of traveling to our Adult Day facility, adjacent to the Agency’s main office, and the time spent driving often prove prohibitive. This initiative introduces volunteer driving as a practical solution to enable greater participation in our program while also allowing caregivers to maintain their own daily responsibilities and attend to their respite needs.  The Agency is once again working with ARTS, bringing its capacity for volunteer recruitment together with ARTS’ transportation management capabilities. By building a network of caring, community-based drivers, we're making it easier for older adults with dementia or other cognitive concerns to stay engaged, supported, and connected.

​

While our first two transportation projects are important steps forward, they are just the beginning. We know there are still many unanswered questions and unmet needs when it comes to getting people where they need to go across Aroostook County. That’s why we’re so grateful for a third grant from the National Aging and Disability Transportation Center (NADTC), which is giving us the opportunity to dig deeper—gathering input, identifying gaps, and planning for future solutions that truly reflect the needs of our communities.

​

As part of this effort, we’re launching a regional survey and hosting focus groups to hear directly from you. What’s working? What’s not? What could make transportation safer, easier, and more accessible in your town? If you’ve ever struggled to get to a medical appointment, the grocery store, or a social event – or if you have ideas for how to improve mobility in The County – we invite you to join one of our upcoming focus groups: Island Falls on April 8 from 10–11:30 a.m., Ashland on April 15 from 10:30 a.m.–12 p.m., and Fort Kent on April 15 from 2–3:30 p.m. Your voice matters, and your input will help shape what comes next.  Please call the Agency at (207) 764-3396 to reserve your place in a focus group or to request that we mail you a survey.