APPLETON, Wis. (WFRV) – For many, riding public transit can feel overwhelming, especially when figuring out stops, routes and even fare prices.
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Valley Transit’s Mobility Manager Sara Schneider said she often hears a variety of reasons for anxiety from riders.
“It can be the fear of getting lost, feeling stupid, not paying your fare,” Schneider said.
To help fight these daily battles, Valley Transit offers a free travel training program, offering one-on-one sessions tailored to build rider confidence, led by Travel Training Specialist Stephanie Gifford, who meets with people to discuss concerns and create a program to fit their needs.
“We look at their situation, and what they are looking to accomplish, maybe it’s a route to school or a job,” Gifford said.
The program caters to students, older adults, families and riders with disabilities, sometimes providing cue cards or helping with communication barriers.
“Anything that will help aid them in doing it independently,” Gifford said.
The training doesn’t happen in the classroom; it happens on the road.
“I ride with them until they feel comfortable,” Gifford said. “Sometimes I’m fading away and not at the stop with them, or meet at their destination. I’m not always riding with them the whole way.”
The goal? To change that uncertainty into independence.
“It can be debilitating, which is why having a person to gain that confidence is critical,” Schneider said.
The program has helped over 600 riders feel more connected to their community, and Gifford says it’s a rewarding feeling to see riders get to where they need to go on their own.
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“It’s amazing when I see riders out when I’m with someone else, going to new destinations,” Gifford said.
Reach out to TravelTraining@Appletonwi.gov to learn more learn more about this program.
