ROCKINGHAM – The day starts early for some drivers who work at ARTS. They arrive at four a.m., get their paper-work for their shift, do a pre-inspection of their vehicle and off they go to all sections of Richmond Co. and beyond.
A lot of the time their passengers are scheduled for dialysis and doctor’s appointments. Sometime folks just want to go to Walmart, while others just have some buisness to take care of elsewhere.
It doesn’t matter if you can walk on your own or you need a wheelchair, you can still ride to your destination and back with ARTS.
Having twelve vans and buses plus two cars, ARTS vehicles are well maintained and serviced at our own new Richmond Co. garage. All of ARTS vans and buses have a wheelchair ramp and the driver helps any disabled passenger load and unload. Other folks just take a seat, buckle up and enjoy the ride.
Mr. Neel Peacock has been in the director’s seat of ARTS for over three years. The agency has been in buisness since 1987. Mr. Jonny Mormon was director for many years.
ARTS does more than carry people to their destinations and back. In emergencies like the flood, a year or so ago in Scotland and Robeson Co. ARTS vans and buses were instrumental in getting folks to safety and helping in any way they could.
ARTS newest bus is a twenty-five- foot transit vehicle and safely holds up to four wheelchairs. It even sports a bike rack on front for those incline to ride back on their bikes. Each van and bus, has warm heat and cool air conditioned, confrontable seats and at least four cameras mounted inside for the [J1] surveillance of its passengers and drivers. Having stop cords and buttons to alert the driver of an emergency really comes in handy. Also, other high- tech instruments are mounted inside the vehicle such as G.P.S. and computers to monitor the location of the vehicle when it is to make its next stop and other vital information.
There are three full time employees in the office which is located at 504-C East Broad Avenue in Rockingham. These, personnel monitor the transit vehicles and take incoming calls from the public who asked to be picked-up. All requests to ride on ARTS vehicles need to be arranged by 12 P.M. the day before the ride.
All routes and services are open to the general- public but to ride with ARTS you will need the correct change (cash only) to pay the driver.
New general- public routes included, on certain days, are trips to Fayetteville, Durham, Raleigh, Chapel Hill, Laurinburg, Charlotte and Wadesboro. Veterans, this is a good service to get to the V.A. hospitals.
Mr. Peacock said that hopefully in the future there will be what he called “fixed stops” that people can catch. He said, “we don’t discriminate because of disabilities.” Also saying that, “his hope is being able to help folks get out of their houses and have the mobility of a normal life.”
ARTS is always looking for part-time help to drive their vehicles. With a normal driver’s license, a few days of safety and courtesy training you too could provide a much- needed service to your fellowman. No, you don’t always have to be there at 4 a.m.; they have a swing shift (12 till 5 p.m.).
To contact ARTS call 910-895-1313 or toll free at 887-364-4441
