For Immediate Release                                                 Contact: Collin Nash or Sid Nathan

October 7, 2009                                                                                             (516) 869 7794

North Hempstead Launches Free Senior Taxi Transportation Pilot Program

Westbury, NY—Supervisor Jon Kaiman and the Town Council announced today the launching of a pilot program designed to assist older residents with their transportation needs.

A part of Project Independence, North Hempstead’s aging in place initiative, the Project Independence Transportation Initiative provides residents age 60 and older free, round trip taxi transportation to a local food shopping destination once a week.

“As we pursue our goal to regionalize Project Independence by opening satellite offices in eight communities across the town, we are simultaneously broadening the array of services provided under the Project Independence umbrella,” Supervisor Jon Kaiman said.

Councilman Robert Troiano added, “I am excited about this program which will give our seniors sorely needed transportation, particularly in this community.”

The four-month pilot program, made possible by a grant from the United States Administration on Aging, is scheduled to begin this fall.

Following outlines the specific communities in which the program is available and the general destinations to which participants will be transported:

·         Great Neck – area to be served includes Great Neck Village, Great Neck Manor and the Manhasset Valley Residences. The general destination is the Waldbaums Shopping Center on Great Neck Road.

·         Port Washington –area to be served includes Port Washington, Port Washington North, Manor Haven, Baxter Estates. The general destination is King Kullen and Stop and Shop Centers on Shore Road.

·         Westbury – area to be served includes Westbury within the Town of North Hempstead east of Post Avenue, South of the Northern State Parkway, West of the Wantagh State Parkway, and all of New Cassel. The general destination is Stop and Shop Shopping Center on Old Country Road.

·         New Hyde Park – area to be served includes all of New Hyde Park in the Town of North Hempstead. The general destination is Stop and Shop Shopping Center on Hillside Avenue.

“I’m honored to be part of a town that is taking the initiative to put in place programs that will help the seniors maintain a healthy lifestyle and the independence that they have become accustomed to,” said Town Clerk Leslie Gross, whose office is responsible for licensing local taxi companies.

The program will be expanded if the pilot is successful.  Call 311 for more information.