BENTONVILLE — The Bentonville City Council listened last week to the possibility of light-rail transit. Northwest Arkansas is probably a long way from justifying such a project, but area planners feel the idea is worth keeping in people’s minds.
In the meantime, a number of Bentonville residents find it difficult to get to the grocery store and other essential locations around town — not necessarily because of traffic congestion. For some, they simply can’t afford a car. And on top of that, many seniors no longer have a driver’s license.
The problem was remedied for many a few years ago by a discounted taxi program. That program dissolved, but earlier this month a new version was launched, thanks to grants secured by State Sen. Kim Hendren, R-Gravette, through the Arkansas Legislature.
“Senator Hendren called me last February or March while in session and asked if I had a specific need for $25,000,” said Bentonville Mayor Bob McCaslin. “I told him, ‘Yes, I have something in mind and it’s to reinstate our taxi system.’ I’m very grateful to Sen. Hendren for doing that and I think there are a number of folks who will benefit greatly from the service this brings back.”
Hendren funneled the grant through the Area Agency on Aging in Bentonville which distributed it to the city to provide transportation. The money is being used to begin a taxi coupon program for qualifying elderly, low-income and disabled Bentonville residents.
Recipients must meet low- to moderate-income guidelines as set by the Department of Housing and Urban Development. They are provided 25 coupons per month worth $2 each.
“There’s such a need for a program like this here,” said Danielle Shasteen, Bentonville community programs coordinator.
“Ozark Regional Transit gets a lot of people to different places, but there are places it doesn’t go. And for seniors, it can be very convenient having a taxi service that picks you up at your door and drops you off at the door of wherever you’re going.”
NWA Taxi contracted to serve as Bentonville’s coupon taxi provider, Montye Crawford, NWA Taxi officer manager, believes there will be a significant response. She has the numbers to back her prediction up. NWA Taxi has provided service for similar discount programs in Rogers, Springdale and, on occasion, Fayetteville.
“We take in over $1,000 per month in coupons in Springdale alone,” Crawford said. “In Rogers, we take in over $500 in coupons per month. A lot of those people are regular clients and the drivers actually get to know them. It’s just a little more personable of a service and these people are so appreciative because they don’t know how they would get these places otherwise.”
Among the places NWA Taxi takes coupon holders to are beauty salons and barber shops, banks, libraries, churches, funeral homes, dry cleaners and laundromats, grocery stores, pharmacies and city, state and government offices.
Shasteen said the taxi program went into effect earlier this month and applications continue to come in. She said the application process is a quick and people are normally approved the same day.
Clent and Matti Wilson of Rogers have used the service in Rogers for the past six months, when a health condition caused Clent Wilson to relinquish his driver’s license. He said he can’t imagine getting along without the service.
“My not being able to drive anymore made it real rough on us,” he said. “We have children who we can call to take us places, but they have their own jobs and their own lives and it creates an inconvenience for them as well. With the taxi and bus service, we’re able to get where we need to go and continue living our lives.
“It’s just unbelievable how much it’s helped. Knowing we can pick up the phone and use our coupons to take the taxi to the Physicians Plaza by the new Mercy Hospital whenever we have appointments is a blessing,” Wilson said.
McCaslin sees it being the same in Bentonville.
“Without a doubt, this is a needed program in this community,” McCaslin said.
Comments
To report abuse or misuse of this area please hit the "Suggest Removal" link in the comment to alert our online managers. Please read our comment policy.
Use the comment form below to begin a discussion about this content.
Registration is required to make comments. Click here to LOGIN.
You can register for FREE to post comments and receive alerts.