Curb-to-Curb Transportation Within Charlotte County
By Angie Matthiessen, Executive Director
Did you know that Charlotte County residents have access to a free wonderful resource within Charlotte County? It’s safe and convenient and you can leave the hassle of driving behind. I’m referring to Charlotte County Transit.
Shirley Ciampi, Mobility Manager for Charlotte County Transit (CCT) spoke with me a few days ago and shared the most important thing she’d like to communicate ---“We are FREE of charge. Ages 13 years and up can ride independently.” Of course, children under 13 are welcome and must be accompanied by an adult.
What I learned from Shirley is that CCT can take passengers to several locations such as medical appointments, banks, shopping, Punta Gorda Airport, library, and area attractions. It’s ideal for students that need a ride to their school or college or students that need a ride to work after school. Restaurants are a familiar destination especially Sunseeker as well as The Charlotte Sports Park for The Tampa Bay Rays Spring Training games. They provide transportation for several customers who are taken for kidney or dialysis appointments.
All ages easily benefit from this service and it is fully accessible for a wheelchair, scooter, walker or stroller. Their data shows that the most common age range for users is 15 to 88 years of age.
Shirley has been in Charlotte County for 2 ½ years formerly working with the State of Connecticut Department of Transportation. She brings a type of excitement and energy with her. She was eager to share information about the Mobile App which can be used from your smart phone where you can book transportation 24/7.
Don’t let the intimidation of the Mobile App called ‘Charlotte Rides’ scare you as they are willing to teach you and train you. In March there were 600 users of the app, booking over 1,000 trips.
To personalize your customer service experience and better understand your needs, please follow these steps to set up your account for the Mobile App. You'll need to make a one-time phone call to receive an email with instructions for creating your username and password. Simply call 941-575-4000 and press option 1 to get started.
One of the great features of the Mobile App besides the ease of using it, is that anyone can set up transportation needs for their neighbors or loved ones. Imagine having adult children living in another state set up all of their parents or grandparents transportation needs here in Florida. Brilliant!
Beginning this week, CCT launched a park & ride service from Tringali Park to the beach! The shuttle will depart Tringali Park at the top of each hour and the bottom of the hour from Chadwick Park.
For more information about Charlotte County Transit, Mobile App or Beach Shuttle, please visit: unitedwayccfl.org/transit
For more information about United Way of Charlotte County’s mission: Mobilizing the power of our community to break the cycle of poverty, please contact Angie Matthiessen, Executive Director. She can be reached at director@unitedwayccfl.org.