“It was a lot of fun! I didn’t know much about the Dalles-Cascade Locks transportation system. It was great to learn, especially since we work with a variety of clients and help meet their needs. I also got to know some of the Circles of Care volunteers a little better. And I got to enjoy the scenery all along the way! Overall it was great,” said Shelley Sinclair Cummins, a volunteer with Circles of Care.
“I was a bit nervous at first, but I was surprised at how easy it was,” Sinclair Cummins said. “It’s a much easier system than I thought it would be. If I need to, I can call Dial-A-Ride and they’ll come to my house and take me to the transportation center and take me to Hood River, Cascade Locks or Portland. It’s a great alternative for people who don’t need to drive, and it’s easy to do.”
Now that she knows how easy it is, she looks forward to using her hands-on experience to coach clients on a similar journey.
“The whole reason I wanted to start this business was to help people who need help, and this makes it a lot easier for us and our clients, which I think is great,” Sinclair Cummins said.
Judy Merrill, a volunteer with Circles of Care, said her favorite part of the trip was chatting with interesting travelers.
“It was a fun trip! It was nice to spend time with my fellow volunteers and meet other people on the bus. I got to talk to them and find out where they were going, where they were from, if they use the bus often, etc.
There was a guy on a bicycle who had cycled from Klamath to Dulles, and then he took a bus from Dulles to Hood River to Portland and then an Amtrak bus back home.
“There was a man on the bus who lives in The Dalles and works at a pizza place in Hood River. He said he was very grateful for the bus,” said Judy Merrill, a volunteer with Circles of Care.
“This is a fantastic opportunity for all of us and Sarah is extremely good at what she does,” Merrill added.
Volunteers gave high praise not only to the transport system but also to the travel trainers.
“Sarah Crook has done an amazing job as our travel trainer,” said McKay. “If you ever have a question or feel a bit unsure, just call Gorge Transit and reach out to Sarah! She’s more than happy to help you. That’s her job.”
This hands-on experience helps transform what may seem intimidating into something that anyone can achieve, regardless of ability.
Crook’s individual sessions focus on specific individual needs, such as overcoming anxiety, helping to navigate specific routes or travel concerns for people with disabilities.
“Our transportation centres provide information on mobility aids,” Crook added. “It’s important that people who use mobility aids feel comfortable and safe when using public transport.”
These training sessions are just one aspect of a broader effort by MCEDD and transit providers to make public transportation more accessible and comfortable for people to use.
Crook hopes to lead more travel training programs at the school in the future.
