Serene Karplus, Nederland.

New Via ZTrip Service

Nederland enjoys a long history with Via, the local nonprofit transportation service.

Some of us remember when John “Brock” Brocklehurst was the local driver and he

fondly recalls the folks he picked up and helped in that era. Others still tell stories of the

many famous-in- local-history folks the late Dave Baumhover shuttled from their isolated

homes to everywhere they needed to go.

Without a vehicle or the ability to drive it – or when the car needs a spa day at the

mechanic – life can be doubly challenging in the mountains. Some manage by living in

the downtown Nederland area, so they can walk to the RTD bus for rides to a full

transportation network in the larger cities down below.

When we face an accident, injury, or disability (or even nasty weather) that prevents

us from walking around town to handle our basic local errands, we appreciate a helping

hand. Not wanting to be a burden to our neighbors or friends whose busy schedules don’t

match our own, we sometimes yearn for a taxi to get us to the doctor, the bank, the

grocer, the post office – or out for a hot meal and companionship.

Until this week, we had to plan all our errands on Thursdays to catch a bus offered

by Via. For years, the service was on Wednesdays to focus on seniors needing a ride to

lunch and enjoying the 5% senior discount day at the local grocery. A few years ago, in

an effort to reach out to all ages of adults needing a variety of rides, they switched to

Thursdays to support those needing to reach the food pantry.

As of Monday, February 26, 2018, Via introduced a new service that expands

availability to all weekdays, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. In collaboration with ZTrip, Via now offers

both local Nederland/Rollinsville rides and trips to Boulder.

Several features make this new service especially helpful. One is that they offer

door-through- door service. Unlike a bus, riders don’t have to figure out how to get to and

from bus stations to reach their destination. The ZTrip driver meets us at home and takes

us right to the door of, say, our Boulder doctor’s office. Even wheelchairs can be

accommodated with at least 48 hours advance notice, so they can route a specialized

vehicle up here. Of course, all vehicles are not miraculous, so steep icy driveways or

extreme weather can mandate exceptions to service availability.

Another nice service is that we know the flat fare in advance. Each leg of any trip is

$2 locally (Nederland and Rollinsville) and $6 between Nederland and Boulder. That’s a

great deal when you compare it to the minimum fees for similar services or distances

elsewhere.

As a nonprofit, Via is funded by grants and donors. Considering the actual cost of

having a vehicle and driver available for customized door-through- door trips all day, five

days a week, we recognize what a great opportunity we have for affordable transportation

within town. For those living outside of the towns of Nederland and Rollinsville, home

service is not yet available. It still may be very helpful to only need a neighbor to drive us

into town up here and drop us off, rather than requiring their whole day to take us to an

appointment in Boulder and having to wait for us. Please advise Via of any specific

unmet needs so they may consider future expansions of services.

Riders must register in advance. Plan ahead and sign up now (303-444- 3043) to be

prepared for the day of the twisted ankle or post-surgery ride. For this program and its

rates, trips must be ordered one to seven days in advance through Via (303-447- 9636),

which takes calls Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

This newly expanded system is on a trial basis for six months to determine if

ridership warrants its continuation. Please help spread the word that these Via services

are available to all age adults, that they do not require any age or disability element, and

encourage everyone to try them.

*********

All adults are welcome at all Mountain MidLife and Nederland Area Seniors events,

attended mostly by folks over age 50. Everyone is invited to all meals at the Nederland

Community Center. Please call two days ahead for lunch reservations (a week ahead for

dinners and breakfasts if possible) to 303-258- 0799. Missed the deadline? Call anyway.

Costs listed show first the over-age- 60 requested anonymous contribution, then the

under-age- 60. Please note that all over age 60 are welcome regardless of ability to

contribute financially.