There are many options for public transportation in the region covered by the Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commission and the organization has a dedicated program to help one demographic navigate choices to get around without a car.
“As our population grows, we are gaining more elders who will need transportation assistance,” said Igor Kalina, the counselor for a program called PATH. “And as recognized by the Blue Ridge Health District Community Health Improvement Plan, the lack of transportation for people who can not drive is one of the top barriers to a healthy community.”
PATH stands for Partnership for Accessible Transportation Help and the TJPDC is seeking another round of funding from the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation. The program has been slowly growing since the DRPT awarded the first round of funding in the fall of 2023 allowing for a half-time manager and a partnership with the Jefferson Area Board for Aging (JABA).
A goal of PATH is to teach people how to use services as well as connect people with volunteers willing to give rides. Other partners include the Charlottesville Area Community Foundation, the Charlottesville Redevelopment and Housing Authority, Twice as Nice, Cville Village and the Center at Belvedere.
“Last year we helped schedule 451 rides to essential services,” Kalina said. “And in fiscal year 27, we would like to increase our partnerships with both voluntary driver programs offering them more staff support, more volunteer management assistance and some assistance in covering operating costs.”
Kalina said a goal is to specifically offer more volunteer drivers in Louisa, Fluvanna, and Nelson. The intent is not to replace any existing services but to help people make connections. He also said PATH’s work might influence providers like Jaunt as they adjust their schedules.
Fluvanna Supervisor Tony O’Brien said some of PATH’s work could lead to more Jaunt service. This year the public service corporation is refunding some of their money back to localities.
“I think we’re going to try to take advantage of some money that Jaunt’s going to have so that we can go ahead and add another program for that day, which I think will be a real added value there,” O’Brien said.
The PATH program is separate from RideShare, a program intended for commuters.
The TJPDC Board of Commissioners endorsed a letter of support for a new application for funding.
In other actions, the TJPDC reviewed a letter of support for a fourth attempt at securing federal funding for the Rivanna River Bicycle and Pedestrian Bridge as well as a letter of support for TDJPC localities to be moved into a new Virginia Piedmont tourism district.
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