SamTrans Sponsors Senior Day At Fair - Aug. 15

Seniors are invited to visit the SamTrans booth at the San Mateo County Fair on Tuesday, Aug. 15. The county’s people-mover is sponsoring Senior Day, a day with unique programs especially for seniors. In addition to popular entertainment such as the My Fair Lady contest and the dance troupe, Seniors in Show Biz, all seniors receive complimentary admission.

Fair-goers won’t have any trouble finding the SamTrans booth – it will be right next to the “art bus.” The colorful bus, “wrapped” in the winning entry from the district’s student art contest, will be parked in front of Sequoia Hall, near Gate E. SamTrans representatives will be on hand to answer visitors’ transit questions and encourage seniors to add SamTrans to their list of transportation options.

SamTrans also is coordinating a “field trip” to the fair for seniors from the Senior Citizens Center in East Palo Alto. The goal of the trip is demystify the transit system and show participants how easy it is to get out and about.

Forty seniors will receive an overview of how to ride the bus, with the use of fare collection machines, using route schedules and how to request stops. Seniors will ride in style, on one of the district’s newest “low-floor” models, which eliminate the need to climb stairs when boarding. The bus will take the seniors to the fair, where they will have the opportunity to attend the day’s festivities before the return trip to the senior center.

The transit district’s sponsorship of Senior Day is part of an on-going campaign to show seniors how public transportation can help them remain active and independent.

Over the last year, the district has sponsored two additional senior “field trips,” spearheaded a conference to address the mobility challenges facing seniors and participated in a series of senior driving safety workshops presented by the California Highway Patrol.

“Our county’s population is aging,” said SamTrans Sales and Promotions Supervisor Penny Bertrand, who is coordinating the fair booth. “Residents need to know that they have more options than driving when it comes to getting around. SamTrans is here to offer a safe, clean and reliable service.”

Public transit and the fair go together like a corn dog and mustard - SamTrans’ Routes 390 and 391 stop on El Camino Real, a few blocks away from the fair’s main entrance. Caltrain also provides daily service to the Hillsdale station, just a short walk from the fairgrounds.

08/11/06 - crd