How You Can Help
Donate Financially
- Open Plains Transit is a division of Senior Services, Inc., a public purpose organization, maintains a 501(c)3 filing status and is eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions in accordance with Code section 170 of the IRS. Senior Services, Inc., has provided rural public transportation services for over 50 years in western Nebraska. Our focus of the past 8 years has shifted to planning, implementation and providing regional intercity public transportation services in the Nebraska Panhandle. This service is designed with the primary goal to connect individuals with other modes of transportation in the region and to connect all passengers to places of employment, education, recreation and vital services, that directly affect their health and well-being and possibly that of their families. Since 8 years ago, our services have come full circle to once again, provide local services in many western Nebraska counties, in addition to the intercity services, allowing us to fill gaps in services that previously existed.
- We offer ADA Equivalent Service; our service is offered to individuals equivalent to the level and quality of service offered to individuals without disabilities, with special attention given to the elderly and those with additional needs.
- Our drivers are required to successfully complete all Federal, State and internal safety testing and must adhere to Senior Services, Inc., Substance Abuse Policy mandated by the Federal Transportation Administration.
- Most of our operating costs are supported by Federal and State funds, currently allocated through the Nebraska Department of Transportation, but it still leaves our organization with a funding shortfall for local match requirements and capital expenses. These capital expenses primarily include our fleet of vehicles. Your tax deductible gift can assist us in increasing our fleet; offering more flexibility in scheduling routes and additional connections to other providers, this assist those in need to reach even more vital services within the region, stimulate economic growth throughout our services areas, all the while, being able to keep our fleet up to date, offering safer and more dependable transportation for the precious cargo we have on board.
Donate Your Time
Become a Volunteer Transportation Escort. Transportation escorts provide assistance and support in a number of ways — and often fulfill more than one role. A Transportation Escort or as we refer to them, "Bus Buddy" or "Care Connector" is a person who provides necessary assistance to passengers. The variety of assistance that escorts may provide to riders include:
- Putting on their shoes and coat to prepare for trip
- Collecting their bags for their trip
- Getting them to the vehicle
- Escorting them to/from the bus to their destination (office, building, store, church, synagogue, etc.)
- Shopping
- Accompanying them to an appointment
- Filling out paperwork, making notes about upcoming appointments
- Assisting with interpreting information
- Relaying information to family/caregivers
- Accompanying to social event
- Providing socialization and companionship
- Assisting with agitation/behavioral issues during the ride
Volunteer Transportation Escort Continued:
Door-Through-Door Support
Assistance with Door-Through-Door Support. For riders who require door-through-door assistance, the following levels of support may be critical in helping them to maintain a connection to their community.
- Gentle support: Opening doors and providing verbal guidance.
- Physical support: Providing physical support for the rider to assist with balance, assist in climbing steps or performing similar functions. This support may include delivering the rider to an attendant at the destination who then takes over the task of personal support and assistance. This “handoff” function is sometimes called “hand-to-hand” or “chair-to-chair” service.