Senior Bus Gives Riders More Freedom

Door-to-door service anywhere in town, up to three times a day. A friendly driver who helps carry packages to your doorstep. Trips to the local malls and grocery stores. This must all cost something, right? Not if you are a senior citizen in Millburn-Short Hills.

These are just a few of the perks of the free senior bus, provided by the township.

The bus has been serving the community since the mid '80s. In 2008, it served 2,527 riders, up 150 from 2007. The majority of the riders are women. They all started using the service for different reasons, but agree that it is a valued commodity.

When Lynn Mulnick moved to Short Hills nearly 15 years ago, she walked everywhere. The former Long Island resident, 78, moved here to be closer to her daughter but did not want to be a burden. Learning about the shuttle service changed her life.

“I no longer drive, so I used to walk," she said. "In bad weather, I took a cab. This is marvelous, it’s wonderful.”

She is one of the service’s veteran riders, having used it for about 13 years. She takes it to work at a local non-profit, to medical appointments, and for social activities.

Asked if the bus gives her more freedom, she said, “Absolutely. Otherwise, I’d have to be taken care of; I’d be bothering my daughter. It gives us all more freedom.”

Mulnick says the bus also helped her make friends in her adopted hometown, including driver Elaine Birnholz. “Sometimes we don’t even have anything to do,” she said, “so we all just go out with Elaine to lunch and talk. We have a good time.”

Birnholz has been a regular behind the wheel since 1990. Over the years she has absorbed an abundance of information about services and activities for local seniors. The riders greatly appreciate Birnholz’s guidance. “Elaine is extremely helpful,” Erna Skeyfer said.

Mary Slavitt, 94, has been using the bus for about three years. A car accident finally convinced her to use the free service. “Driving in Millburn is a bit on the crazy side,” she said. “I can’t say I miss driving.”

“We’re very happy,” Genya Shir said. “The service is very good, very convenient, we really need this bus.” She has been riding the bus for six years and recently convinced her friend Tan Jok Boi to join her. They ride to exercise class together.

The shuttle service also helps those senior citizens who are no longer able to leave their homes. One man who regularly uses the service comes from Elizabeth to care for a 103-year-old Millburn resident. The shuttle transports him from the train station to the woman’s home.

In addition to individual transportation, the bus offers weekly outings such as breakfast at the Paper Mill Playhouse or grocery shopping at Shop Rite. There are monthly outings to Whole Foods, the Livingston Mall and the Mall at Short Hills. A full schedule is available on the bus or on the town's Web site.

Riders are asked to call one or two days in advance between 7 a.m. and 8:15 a.m. to schedule their outings. The bus operates Monday to Wednesday and Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to noon.