For Immediate Release
May 16, 2006
Contact: Bill Pederson
Phone: (602) 712-8069

Pinal-Gila Council for Senior Citizens Named Outstanding Transit Provider

The Arizona Transit Association has named the Pinal-Gila Council for Senior Citizens the Outstanding 5310 Provider of the Year.  The 5310 Program provides the elderly and persons with disabilities with transportation for:
§ Medical appointments
§ Nutrition appointments
§ Adult day care facilities
§ Education and training
§ Service appointments
§ Shopping trips
§ Employment

Funding for the program is provided by the Federal Transit Administration and is distributed through the Arizona Department of Transportation.  The 5310 Program has more than 150 contractors in Arizona, the majority of which are non-profit entities.

The Pinal-Gila Council for Senior Citizens has provided vital services for Central Arizona’s senior population for more than 30 years.  Pinal-Gila is an umbrella agency for multiple service providers in Pinal and Gila Counties with local agencies in Casa Grande, Superior, Hayden, Kearny, Mammoth Miami and Payson.  Pinal-Gila also functions as the Area Agency on Aging for the region.

Under the leadership of its Executive Director, Olivia Guerrero, Pinal-Gila has advocated effectively for coordination between rural transit providers.  Guerrero has championed the “Pinal Rides” demonstration project as part of the Arizona Rides initiative undertaken by the Governor’s Office in concert with ADOT and other State agencies.  Pinal Rides objective is to showcase coordination of human service transportation at the local level.  Pinal-Gila has assumed a key role as the chief operator for new routes proposed by the project’s action plan.