One of the great services we offer to our residents here at CBTS is transportation.  We offer transportation to Dr.’s appointments, local shopping destinations, and even to places like the bank or the beauty shop. It is our goal to make our transportation both accessible and easy to use.  But, as with anything we realize that if you have not used this resource before, it can be a little intimidating; therefore we’d like to provide you with some answers to some commonly asked questions about this department. Whether you are new to using this service or an expert, we encourage you to take a few minutes and read up on our tips for utilizing this great resource!

Medical Appointments

1.      How many drivers are available? Currently there are two drivers, one full-time and one part-time available for medical appointments. The full-time driver’s hours are Monday thru Friday, 8:00 am to 4:00pm.  The part-time driver works Tuesday thru Thursday, 8:00 am to 4:00 pm.

2.      Is there a form to complete when arranging for medical appointment transport? Yes. Forms are available at the activity table in the lobby and should be filled out and turned in to the transportation department or the front desk.

3.      What if my appointment conflicts with the driver’s calendar? Because we offer transportation on a first-come first-serve basis, it is important to give the drivers as much notice as possible so that they can appropriately arrange their schedules.  Please keep in mind that there is only one driver on Mondays and Fridays when making appointments. Occasionally your appointment may conflict with an already scheduled one on their calendar. When this happens they will call you with alternate times they are available and see if you may be able to change the appointment so that they will be able to accommodate your request. You can be assured that our drivers will do their best to fulfill all of your transportation requests.

4.      What is the earliest time I can request transport to an appointment? Latest? While we desire to accommodate as many residents as possible, we are still responsible for managing the hours allotted to each driver and keeping them on a schedule that coincides with the normal business hours in which most Dr.’s offices are open. Therefore, we request that you schedule appointments after 8am and before 3pm in order for us to most effectively meet the transportation needs of the community. 

5.      Will someone stay with me at the Dr.’s office? No. While each vehicle is equipped with first aid kits and the drivers are well versed in safety precautions, they are not trained as companions or caregivers. Thus, for your benefit and safety as well as theirs, please make your own arrangements for assistance or companionship (if necessary).

6.      Is there a charge for transportation to medical appointments? There is no charge for any medical appointment within a 10-mile radius.  Any distance over that amount will be billed to you at the rate of $2.50 per mile. This charge is subject to change at the start of each new fiscal year, which begins in April.

7.      How will I know if the driver can transport me to my appointment? Once you have filled out the transportation request and turned it in, you should receive confirmation by the next regularly scheduled working day. (Monday through Friday)

8.      Can I ask the drivers to take me to a non-medical appointment? No. The first priority of the drivers is to handle medical appointments and they must adhere to this policy in order to best meet the transportation needs of 200+ residents here in the community.

Activities

1.      Is there a cost for transportation to scheduled activities? Occasionally, on longer trips          there may be a nominal fee of $3.00 for the transportation to an activity-related event.  Events outside San Diego County will be charged $5.00, this is charged to your monthly bill.

2.      Do activities ever get cancelled when too few people sign up? Each off campus activity is required to have at least 5 people signed up in order for the trip to occur. If the number is less than that number, the event will be rescheduled or cancelled. This does NOT apply to the weekly shopping trips and church transportation; in those cases, it is very easy to take a smaller number to a local destination in one of the cars or the van.

3.      Is there an escort for the activity-related trips? No. While our driver does accompany residents on trips and is properly trained for emergencies, his responsibility is to ensure that the trip will be as safe and efficient as possible. Oftentimes he spends a good amount of time parking the vehicles some distance away and then must bring it to a central location after the trip has ended, thus preventing him from operating as a formal escort.

4.      Where can I obtain a copy of the shopping schedules?  The shopping schedules are done in advance for the entire month and can be found in a folder on the activity table in the lobby area.

5.      Can I go to destinations other than those listed on the regular shopping schedule? Yes. One of the reasons we alternate shopping destinations is so that we can provide the best array of choices possible. However, oftentimes there are stores that may be on the way to that day’s destination, or even new locations that several residents may want to visit. Because we endeavor to be flexible while at the same time adhering to our schedule, we will be more than happy to accommodate your wishes whenever time permits. Simply speak to the driver and if he is able he will take you to your desired location. Additionally, we are always open to suggestions, so if there is a place you’d like to see regularly on the shopping schedule, please see the driver and he can discuss it with you. 

As always, our goal is to provide effective and reliable transportation to as many residents as possible on a day-to-day basis. We value your opinions and input and strive to ensure you are satisfied with your interaction with each of the members of the department. We look forward to continuing to serve you and meet your transportation needs.