Washakie County Senior Citizens Center Inc. honored as Transit Agency of the Year

WORLAND - For the second time in five years, the Washakie County Senior Citizens Center doing business as Worland Senior Center and Worland Van-Go Public Transportation has been honored by the Wyoming Department of Transportation as the Transit Agency of the Year.

The award was presented at a conference in June.

Executive Director Wendy Fredricks said, "We are ecstatic" at being honored.

The center was nominated by WYDOT staff and wrote, "Wendy Fredricks has always had great communication with WYDOT. This year was no different. She took on a project of building a new four-bay bus garage. She would send pictures, updating us on its progress. It was a huge project for a senior center of their size and it has turned out to be a really nice addition to their transit program. She is always on time with her ridership and monthly expense reports and is very responsive to new ideas and suggestions. Washakie County Senior Citizens Center makes attending the annual WYTRANS conference a priority."

Fredricks said the new garage is able to house the entire fleet for the center's public transportation program.

The program is open to all residents. Fredricks said, "We offer any rides around town for the public with at least 24 hours notice." She noted that they will provide transportation out of town with a week's notification.

She said they will go anywhere in the state with most of the trips to Casper, Cody, Thermopolis and they transport veterans to the VA in Sheridan.

The center charges a $1.50 for the general public on trips around Worland for one-way and $3 for round trip.

Seniors 60 and older asked to provide a voluntary contribution if they are able.

Pricing increases based on mileage once outside of the city limits.

Due to COVID-19, masks are required on the buses.

Rides are on a first-come first-served basis.

During COVID-19 the transportation program added a delivery service for those wanting to order meals and have been delivered from restaurants in town. The service is still offered during regular hours Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Fredricks said they will provide public transportation upon special requests. If someone is having an event they can request that the public transportation is available at that time. Fredricks said if they agree to have the public transportation available after hours it would be available for the public.

The Senior Center is having a ribbon-cutting ceremony and grand opening for the bus barn on Saturday, Sept. 25. The ribbon-cutting will be at 11 a.m., lunch at 11:30 a.m. and a craft and vendor show from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.