The Mesa County Regional Transportation Planning Office (RTPO) Supports “Week Without Driving," Offers Free Fare on GVT
Try GVT For Free and Join Us in Considering the Challenges of Not Having Access to a Vehicle.
This year, the RTPO is proud to participate in the Week Without Driving from September 29th to October 5th. This event allows the community to consider the everyday realities of those who, by circumstance or choice, do not drive. In Mesa County, 29% of our working population navigates their lives without a personal vehicle. This percentage includes individuals with disabilities and chronic or acute health conditions, young people, seniors, and those who cannot afford the costs of car ownership. At the RTPO, we believe it is important to understand their experiences, which highlight the importance of connected, accessible, reliable public transit and safe, active transportation options for everyone.
Week Without Driving is a thought experiment at heart. Do you know someone that has difficulty accessing reliable transportation or do you have an aging family member or neighbor to think about? Consider what it would be like to try to get to an appointment, meeting, grocery store, or to work without access to your own vehicle. Would you phone a friend? Are your sidewalks safe for walking with a mobility device? Have you ever tried public transit? What does timing look like for any of those options?
“Getting to something as simple as a doctor’s appointment in this community can sometimes take a few hours and multiple phone calls, with many people, in the more rural areas having to rely on virtual appointments to stay in touch with medical providers. This can be an incredible challenge for a person who just got out of a surgery or is dealing with an acute condition and has no information on local services. We, at the RTPO, are striving to better understand these challenges and share our findings with local governments in a meaningful way.” Tara Flaharty, Mesa County Mobility Manager.
For Week Without Driving, RTPO staff will be considering these questions, offering travel training to assist community members in learning about their options, and trying to navigate the community without vehicles. On our social media account, @mobilemesacounty, we will also be sharing prompts, a BINGO card, and the opportunity to share stories and insights. Mesa County will also be offering free fare on all GVT routes for the week of September 29th in support of those joining us.
