South Burlington clinic access advances

November 24, 2009  |  Burlington Free Press

Efforts to secure public transit for patients with orthopedic, pain management, physical therapy and cardiac rehab appointments in South Burlington advanced Monday.

Planners agreed to pursue funding for a phone-in ride request system, extending bus service to clinics on Tilley Drive, said the Rev. Debbie Ingram, the executive director of Burlington-based nonprofit Vermont Interfaith Action.

Fletcher Allen patients without a car or taxi fare must walk a half-mile from a bus stop at Kennedy Drive and Hinesburg Road.

Service directly to the clinic's entrance could begin in early 2010, Ingram said -- pending pitches by planners to their respective boards.

If enacted, the service will operate on a trial basis, which sponsors will monitor for efficiency and possible improvements, Ingram said.

Monday morning's closed meeting took place at the Winooski offices of the Chittenden County Metropolitan Planning Organization.

It was the second follow-up to a June 16 gathering at which municipal, health care and planning experts heard frustrated testimony from homeless, poverty-stricken and recently naturalized Chittenden County residents.

Attendees on Monday included representatives from:

• Fletcher Allen (Dawn LeBaron, vice president of Hospital Services)
• City of South Burlington (Manager Chuck Hafter)
• Community Health Center (Alison Calderara)
• Office of Vermont Health Access (Stephanie Beck and Clarke Eaton)
• Chittenden County Transportation Authority (Meredith Birkett)
• Special Services Transportation Authority (Murray Benner)
• Pizzagalli Properties (Bob Bouchard)
• Vermont Agency of Transportation (Dave Pelletier)
• Vermont Interfaith Action (the Rev. Mike Brown, the Rev. Stan Baker, Charlie Rathbone and Fran Carlson)
• CCMPO (Michelle Boomhower, director)

Preventive health

Ingram said the region's remedial efforts to bring transportation options to an urban clientele might serve as a warning to future, far-flung satellite facilities.

"It has come up at all of our meetings," Ingram replied. "We definitely need more safeguards in the planning process."

"Cleaning up after the fact is much harder than getting it right the first time."

The Vermont Interfaith Action group is a faith-based community action project made up of 11 Vermont congregations. Find out more online at the group's Web site: www.viavt.org.

Contact Joel Banner Baird at 660-1843 or joelbaird@bfp.burlingtonfreepress.com. Read his blog at www.burlingtonfreepress.com/bairdseyeview and follow him on Twitter at @vtgoingup.