Not just for seniors: Public transportation is now a reality for all in Sauk Valley

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Whiteside County Public Transportation bus driver Mike Love picks up passengers on his route. (Philip Marruffo/pmarruffo@svnmail.com)

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STERLING – Whiteside County this year joined Lee and Ogle counties in offering low-cost public transportation to all ages. All you need to do is pick up the phone.

Since 1984, the Whiteside County Senior Center has offered transportation for seniors in the Sterling-Rock Falls area. Now anyone can give the center 24-hour notice, and one of Whiteside’s eight buses will pick them up.

The program, which started in July, is rapidly growing. About 150 to 160 passengers ride every day, said Deb Wehmhoefer, the center’s administrative assistant.

A typical day for the Lee-Ogle Transportation System, now 7 years old, sees 70 to 80 people hop on a van or bus, said Jennifer Lang, transportation coordinator of those counties.

The elderly form the largest contingent of riders in both systems, which are open to everyone. Some people get rides to Sauk Valley Community College. Some have regularly scheduled rides to take them to work.

Other people just call ahead to get to the store.

“We’re not just the senior bus; we’re available to everyone,” said Roxanne Bauer, executive director of the Whiteside County Senior Center.

Longer routes can require a stop or transfer; but senior center staff gets passengers where they want to go – including connecting them to Lee-Ogle Transportation, which opens the entire Sauk Valley to riders.

“It’s a real juggling act, ... but we really love it, believe it or not,” said Cris Scribner, transportation program director of the Whiteside County Public Transportation System.

Funding for both Whiteside and Lee-Ogle comes primarily from two sources: federal Department of Transportation grants and rider fares. Buses are bought with grants from the Illinois Department of Transportation.

Whiteside plans to ask the department for enough money to buy four more buses next year, Bauer said.

How the bus system works

■ To schedule a ride on the Whiteside County Public Transportation System, call the Whiteside County Senior Center, 815-625-7433 or 815-622-9230. Visit www.-
whitesidecountyseniorcenter.org to learn more.

Bus route fliers are at the senior centers, and online in Whiteside County.

■ To schedule a ride in Lee and Ogle counties, call the Lee-Ogle Transportation System coordinator, 888-239-9228 or 815-288-2117. The hearing impaired can call 815-288-9236.

Visit www.lccoa.com to learn more.

All buses and vans in Lee, Whiteside and Ogle are wheelchair-accessible. Give as much advance notice as possible. Riders also can schedule repeat routes around class or work schedules.

Costs

Rates for area bus services in Whiteside and Lee-Ogle:

■ Those 60 and older and the disabled: Free with suggested $1 donation.

■ Ages 6-59: $2 in town each way.

■ Ages 5 and younger: 50 cents in town each way.

■ Both systems have an extensive network of scheduled routes, with established rates, that connect cities and towns across the Sauk Valley to shopping and education. Those routes can be found by contacting the transportation coordinators.

■ Special arrangements in Whiteside are 25 cents a mile, plus $10 an hour after the first hour.

In Lee-Ogle, they are 25 cents and subject to vehicle availability. Requests for off-route transportation require a 2-day notice.

Medicaid recipients may be transported to medical appointments at no cost to the rider, with prior approval.

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