TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS

RIDE THE WAVE!!

Click Here to See the Schedule and Reserve your Ride

SCC’s bus service (WAVE) is the result of years of hoping and planning to bring public transportation to Sonora and Modesto for residents of Groveland and Big Oak Flat.

In late 2019, in partnership with Tuolumne County Transit Authority, SCC applied for a 5310 Cal Grant to provide enhanced mobility for seniors and individuals with disabilities.  The grant was conditionally awarded in January of 2020, unconditionally confirmed in late March of 2020, and intensive planning started at that time.  Due to Covid 19 state and county restrictions, the launch of this service had to be delayed, but that allowed a dedicated committee of local residents the time to create a completely new transportation program.  A transportation survey was sent to every mailbox in Groveland and Big Oak Flat to determine the highest priority for transportation.  Once the greatest needs were identified, routes and schedules were created.  Although Wheels was already in existence and highly successful, additional infrastructure was required to offer a robust transportation program.  This included researching software products, finding a vehicle, hiring, and training staff, and researching and implementing all safety protocols.

The result of this work is WAVE – Wheels and Village Express; a small and comfortable bus that seats six plus two passengers in wheelchairs.  WAVE will pick passengers up Monday through Friday at Mary Laveroni Park in Groveland and take them to Sonora (four days per week) and Modesto (one day per week).  Although a preliminary schedule has been created, this is a pilot program, and schedules and routes will be modified based on rider needs and suggestions. With enough notice, additional destinations can be added to the route.

Although there is no fare for this service, we gratefully accept donations to help defray our expenses and to ensure that we can continue this service long into the future.

Reservations must be scheduled at least 48 hours in advance to ensure that our drivers have all the information needed to safely support riders.  Members of Village on the Hill can register anytime; non-members can register seven (7) days in advance.  Registration is on a first-come first-serve basis.  Any resident of Groveland or Big Oak Flat can reserve a seat; although we prioritize seniors and individuals with disabilities, there are no restrictions on who can ride the bus.

SCC’s WHEELS program, launched in 2012, provides door-to-door transportation for shopping and errands in the Groveland/Big Oak Flat area to qualified individuals 55 and over who are unable to drive due to recent surgery, illness or age. Drivers are available Tuesday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. A Wheels membership in Village on the Hill is required.

Rides must be scheduled in advance. The scope of the WHEELS program includes the following geographic boundaries:

• Highway 120 from the top of Priest Grade to Lytle Loomis Road
• Ferretti Road from intersection with Highway 120 in Groveland to Yosemite Vista Estates

In 2019, WHEELS drivers drove more than 19,000 miles and provided more than 1,900 much needed one-way trips for individuals in our community.

Testimonials

Client: “I did not trust my car or my health to get to my cancer treatments. Without Wheels I never would have made all of my appointments.”

Client: “Wheels means new found freedom for me. I no longer have to wait for a neighbor to take me shopping.”

Driver: “It makes me feel good to help others and know that Wheels will be available to me when the time comes.”

Wheels Can Drive You Places!

Our caring, dedicated and vetted team of more than 50 volunteer drivers generously donates their time, gas and vehicles to ensure a safe and comfortable ride to and from appointments—providing clients with security and peace of mind. Often, the camaraderie that develops between drivers and clients results in lasting friendships, as trust and appreciation develops and grows.

Volunteer as a WHEELS Driver

We are always seeking volunteers to be willing to drive clients to local destinations such as post office, pharmacy, bank and grocery store. As a WHEELS driver, you are responsible for picking up clients from their homes and returning them safely back home.

TBD