St. Mark’s Mini Bus Makes Travel Easy

Getting around Brookline is easier than you think—especially for senior citizens.

in Brookline has sponsored the Senior Citizen’s Mini Bus for about 30 years. Now, the mini bus committee has plans to revitalize the program and make it even more accessible.

“It’s kind of run itself over the past few years and hasn’t been advertised as it should,” said committee chairperson Howard Ingold. “People don’t know much about it. We’re sort of starting from the beginning.”

The bus currently runs Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Ingold said the committee wants to expand the schedule to include afternoon hours.

He said the bus will take riders to Beechview and other nearby communities for grocery shopping, doctors appointments and other needs, but the committee also wants to get local businesses involved.

“We want to visit merchants on the Boulevard and bring it up to them,” he said. “I’m sure they’d love to have it brought to their stores. 

And the bus is for all senior citizens, Ingold said, even if they don’t attend St. Mark’s.

“The big misconception we’ve been finding out is that people see it in the community and think it’s just for church people,” Ingold said. “That’s one thing we have to overcome. Anyone can ride it.”

To keep the program going, Ingold said, the committee needs more volunteers. No special license is needed to drive the bus, since it only holds 15 people and does not transport children, he said.

The bus staffs a driver and a host to welcome people onboard and make sure they reach their destinations safely. Ingold said it’s an asset to the community, and one he hopes always will be available.

“Everyone we hear from says they really like the service, so we’re committed to getting it going again,” Ingold said.

If you’re riding:

The Senior Citizens Mini Bus of Brookline runs from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

For a reservation, call 412-344-4222 before 11:30 a.m. The service is free, but donations are accepted.

More information is available at St. Mark’s website by clicking here.