April 2, 2013
State Representative Michael D’Agostino spent Monday morning with residents from Davenport Dunbar Senior Residence answering questions related to a topic of great concern to them: dedicated public transportation for seniors and the disabled. More than two dozen residents filled the community room and voiced their concerns regarding cutbacks in these services and, in particular, the suspension of the popular hydrogen-powered bus service operated by the Greater New Haven Transit District (GNHTD). A representative of GNHTD was also on hand to listen to residents’ concerns.
“The Davenport Dunbar residents, like most Hamden seniors, are active, engaged community members, but, being on a fixed income, they rely on dedicated public transportation to grocery shop, get to medical appointments and otherwise live their lives,” said Rep. D’Agostino. “Right now, the state has a new hydrogen powered bus that it is unable to use because of lack of federal operational funds and because of a vendor’s delay in building a refueling station.This kind of bureaucratic confusion only hurts our seniors. Thankfully, the GNHTD is aware of the issues and is working hard, with me, to find solutions, such as expanding existing routes with current vehicles, while we pursue funding for the hydrogen bus”.
Rep. D’Agostino plans to visit the facility on a regular basis to update the residents on the busing issue. The residents plan to keep in contact on this and other issues.