By Mark Marotta
THE ERICKSON TRIBUNE

The various transportation services at Ann’s Choice offer residents not just convenience, but also a way to save money and help the environment.

Gene Karahuta, transportation manager at the Erickson retirement community in Warminster, says an on-campus shuttle makes the rounds to the community’s three clubhouses, which house the restaurants, fitness and aquatics centers,  medical center, banks, and other on-site amenities.

But because of such an active population living at the community, he says, most shuttle usage is to travel off campus. Larger buses with seating for up to 37 passengers are used for trips to shows, events, or stores. Depending on the day, the Ann’s Choice Express heads to places such as the post office, library, shopping centers, supermarkets, Wal-Mart, or a mall.

“If they go shopping, they don’t have to use their cars,” Karahuta says, adding that there is no charge for the on-campus or shopping shuttles.

And with gasoline prices at $4 a gallon, says Ann’s Choice neighbor Sandy Kovacs, it makes sense to take the bus.

Plus, she adds, it makes environmental sense for people to reduce how much they drive by taking the shuttle.

Shop and save
Barbara Bowman, who lives at Ann’s Choice, says she absolutely relies on the shuttles there. “I don’t drive,” she explains, reeling off a list of locations where the shuttle can take residents to shop. “It’s fantastic. The shuttle drivers are outstanding in helping us get on and off buses with arms full of packages.”

She adds that many people who do drive use the shuttle because it saves them the trouble of parking their cars.

Likewise, Kovacs says she flies to London quite a bit and takes a taxi to get to the airport.

Good value
“We are a value for the dollar,” says Karahuta. “We are much cheaper than the outside market.”