“We’ll go anywhere people need to go”

By Christopher Sinclair

It’s hard to imagine, but the town of Norfolk was once a transportation hub. Conductors barked orders, and steam-driven trains came to a reluctant halt in the village center where Norfolk residents now pick up their mail and deposit their checks. People traveled with ease between Norfolk’s modest yet beloved peaks and the nearly equidistant metropolises of Boston and New York. While the railway is, for the moment, a relic of times past, there are still individuals in Norfolk who see to it that others are able to get where they need to go.

Peter O’Brien and Phylis Bernard, both Norfolk residents, are drivers for the “Dial-A-Ride” bus service managed by Northwest CT Transit, an appointment-only bus service that caters to rural populations in the Northwest corner. To arrange transportation, individuals simply call Northwest CT Transit 24 hours in advance. Service is available from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday, and the bus is wheelchair- and walker-accessible. When asked about the service, First Selectman Sue Dyer commented that “It is geared toward the elderly and the disabled,” but went on to say that it is available to a wider range of people. Riders of all ages may use the bus, according to the Northwest CT Transit website, but those under the age of 12 must be accompanied by an adult. The service is funded by the towns it serves, as well as by donations and minimal fees collected from riders. Dyer described the cost of running the service as “modest,” but noted that there are some expenses looming on the horizon. While the Norfolk bus is a hearty machine and still runs well and true, it is getting on in years, and Norfolk hopes one day to follow Colebrook’s lead in getting a newer bus equipped with more modern technology. Dyer concluded by saying that “It is a great service, and we will try very hard to see that it continues.”

According to Peter O’Brien, who drives the Norfolk bus Wednesday through Friday, the average suggested donation for a round-trip ride is two dollars. O’Brien recognizes that “two dollars may not seem like a lot of money, but to somebody with a limited income maybe it is.” While O’Brien has driven the bus to a number of different locations, he says that the most common requests are for trips to doctor’s appointments and shopping outings, but he adds “We’ll go anywhere people need to go.” Ride requests are kept confidential to protect the riders’ privacy. For O’Brien, the service is important for a number of reasons, but above all because “it helps people to continue living in their own homes and maintain their independence.” Although the service isn’t terribly well known, O’Brien has found that “people in the community who use the service are very appreciative.”

The bus is also available for group outings with a minimum of ten participants, for a fee of ten dollars. As O’Brien recalled past group trips, it became evident that he was very much invested in the community and the well-being of people in it, and that he and others who run the bus service take joy and pride in doing what they do. O’Brien recounted with genuine fondness a variety of large group outings, ranging from a trip to the Hartford Historical Museum with a picnic lunch in Elizabeth Park, to a trip to the Knights of Columbus in New Haven followed by an almost obligatory slice at Pepe’s Pizza. When speaking about these trips O’Brien repeatedly employed the pronoun “we,” saying “we went here,” or “we did this,” which further reinforced the collective and communal nature of the endeavor.

If you or somebody you know in the area would be interested in using this service, please call Northwest CT Transit at 860-489-2535 at least 24 hours ahead of your desired departure time. Those who would like to schedule a Monday ride should remember to schedule their appointment before the office closes on Friday. More information about the service can be found at nwcttransit.com.

PHOTO: Frequent passenger Danise Perron gets off at Town Hall. The driver is Peter O’Brien. Photo by Bruce Frisch.