Everyone has a ticket to ride through Penquis Lynx Mobility Services

By Stuart Hedstrom
Staff Writer

DOVER-FOXCROFT — Area residents in need of a ride can get to where they would like to go thanks to Penquis Lynx Mobility Services. By signing up at least two business days in advance passengers — regardless of age or income — can have safe, reliable and low-cost transportation for medical appointments, shopping trips, visits with friends and more.

Observer photo/Stuart Hedstrom

RIDE ON THE LYNX BUS — Janice and Bernard Pullyard get on the Lynx Mobility Services bus, with driver Rick Klein ready to assist if needed, after a trip from Thayer Parkway across Dover-Foxcroft to Butterfields Ice Cream. Lynx Mobility Services offers rides, which need to be scheduled two days in advance, in communities in the region as well as to Bangor for passengers regardless of their age, income or needed accommodation.

On June 21 Lynx Mobility Services offered an “introductory trip” from Thayer Parkway across town to Butterfields Ice Cream, both for residents of the housing complex as well as for staff of the Piscataquis Regional YMCA and Pine Tree Hospice. The PRYMCA, Pine Tree Hospice and Penquis are all partners in the Piscataquis Thriving in Place Collaboration and its mission to improve regional services and support adults with chronic health conditions avoid unnecessary hospitalization and other forms of institutional care to help them stay in their homes as long as possible.

“I hope more people use it and get out of the house, just for a break,” Lynx Mobility Services Department Director Marcia Larkin said before the first stop at the PRYMCA. “Normally you will see the mini van around this area unless we have a lot of people going,” she said, as for the trip to Butterfields a Lynx Mobility Services bus was on the road.

Larkin said Tuesdays are “general public days in Dover-Foxcroft” with passengers able to schedule trips around town from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. “We do all the towns Piscataquis County at least once a week,” Larkin added, as transportation is also scheduled on different days from the region to Bangor.

“Fees vary depending on where you are going,” Larkin said. She said the trips in-town are 50 cent each way and a longer ride to Bangor would be $4 each. “We try to keep the cost down and the big thing is it’s open to everybody.”

The first trip passengers took their seats on a Lynx Mobility Services bus, buckling as Larkin said the vehicle drivers can assist in securing if needed. The service can also accommodate wheelchairs.

From the PRYMCA bus driver Rick Klein turned left and headed up the street to Thayer Parkway. Three residents were picked directly in front of their homes to limit how far they had to walk.

With everyone on board, Klein drove over to the Pine Tree Hospice location on West Main Street for the day’s last pickup. “As a rule we don’t back into traffic, we will pull up to a curb,” Larkin said as safety is always a top priority.

From the Pine Tree Hospice the Butterfields Ice Cream destination was a stone’s throw away as all the passengers enjoyed cool treats on the early summer day. “Thanks everyone for coming, we’re on time, we’re safe and now you know how safe it is,” Larkin told the group.

She explained that those scheduling rides will ask the passengers what time they would like to be picked up and what time they would like to return. Larkin said should someone be ready to head back earlier, they can call again and these arrangements may be possible depending on how the rest of the day’s schedule is unfolding.

After the desserts were finished, drop-offs were made at the PRYMCA, Thayer Parkway and Pine Tree Hospice.

“You get to get out and get your socialization, that’s the big thing,” Larkin said after the trip.

“It’s just a wonderful partnership we have up here,” she added.

For more information on Lynx Mobility Services, please call 973-3695 or 1-866-853-5969 or go to www.penquis.org.

Observer photo/Stuart Hedstrom

TRIP TO BUTTERFIELDS — Thayer Parkway residents and Piscataquis Regional YMCA and Pine Tree Hospice staff got to experience a ride through Lynx Mobility Services on June 21, with the demonstration excursion traveling to Butterfields Ice Cream on June 21. From left are driver Rick Klein, Merrilee Schoen, Rod Willey, Lisa White, Jane Stitham, Janice and Bernard Pullyard, Sherri Jackins, Norman Peterson, Erin Callaway and Lynx Mobility Services Department Director Marcia Larkin (kneeling).