To the editor:

An article last week on use of Marion County Department on Aging vans reported that the two department vans were only used once a year.

The minivan, which takes individuals 60 an older to various appointments, has been used on a monthly average of 13 trips so far this year. This service is vital for older adults in the county, who need transportation to appointments due to their no longer driving or not feeling comfortable driving in larger cities.

The 13-passenger van’s usage has seen a decline over the last year due to county senior centers not using it as much for recreational trips.

Our department goal is to assist older adults to live in their own homes as long as possible, and one way to do this is to provide transportation in and out of the county.

Gayla Ratzlaff, coordinator
Department on Aging

Editor’s Note: The article stated that the department used both of its vans at the same time on only one occasion and that the larger van “is basically just sitting there.”It did not attempt to characterize use of the smaller van.