Oct. 17, 2012 -- Seniors looking to expand their travel independence through the use of dependable public transit may feel too nervous to try the Bee-Line Buses. With that in mind, the county's Department of Public Works/Transportation has launched a new program to help, County Executive Robert P. Astorino announced.
Called Senior B.E.A.T. (Be Educated About Transit), the public education program was unveiled on Wednesday at the Hugh A. Doyle Senior Center in New Rochelle.
The Senior B.E.A.T Program is a transit orientation program designed to instruct seniors on how to safely and successfully use the Bee-Line System to promote greater travel independence. The program includes an instructional video, a brochure and games to inform and encourage seniors to use the Bee-Line bus system.
The program was made possible by a grant from the New York State Department of Transportation, and is a cooperative effort of the county's Department of Public Works and Transportation and Department of Senior Programs and Services.
Today, 20 percent of all Westchester residents – one in five – are 60 years or older. According to Bee-Line's 2010 On-Board Survey, 14 percent of Bee-Line riders are between 50 and 59 years of age and 10 percent of riders are 60 years of age or over. The percentage of riders over 50 has increased 4 percent since 2007. This supports an overall trend that shows Bee-Line's ridership is aging.
The one-hour Senior B.E.A.T Program will be made available to senior centers, clubs, libraries,houses of worship and other appropriate venues throughout Westchester County. To schedule a visit, call (914) 813-7741 or e-mail .