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Answers from 211's Senior Assistance Line
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Dear SAL,
I am in my seventies and made a New Year's resolution to reduce my driving. I'd like to look into using public transit and have noticed there are two kinds of buses in the area, the Gold Country Stage and The LIFT. I live a few miles beyond the outskirts of Grass Valley and wonder whether you can tell me more about these transportation services.
-Car-free Convert
Dear Car-free,
Congratulations on your decision to park the car, a choice likely to provide relief from traffic-induced stress and automobile operating costs, while also reducing your environmental impact.
You are correct that there are two different types of public buses available in western Nevada County: the Gold Country Stage, which is a regular fixed-route bus system, and the Gold Country LIFT, which supplements the Gold Country Stage in order to provide better access for seniors and people with disabilities. Each one provides specific services and has its own routes and rates. Here is an overview:
Gold Country Stage
Gold Country Stage (GCS) operates regularly scheduled fixed-route bus transportation to Grass Valley, Nevada City, and surrounding areas, including Penn Valley and Auburn. "Fixed route" means that the bus travels the same path on a fixed schedule each day. All six Gold Country Stage routes run Monday through Friday and there is limited Saturday service on some routes.
Some GCS stops are 'On Demand,' which require that the passenger call the Gold Country Stage office (477-0103 ext. 0) at least 60 minutes prior to the desired stop time. 'On-Demand' stops are only served when requested by the passenger
You can also use Gold Country Stage to connect to other regional transit systems. Passengers taking Route 5 to Auburn can transfer to and from Placer County Transit, Auburn Transit, and Sacramento Light Rail connectors at the Auburn Station. Connections to Amtrak's Capital Corridor are possible as connecting schedules allow.
The GCS fare for adults is $1.50 each way for a single zone ride and $3.00 for two zones. Check the Rider's Guide or ask your driver whether your destination is a one-zone or two-zone fare. The discount fare for seniors over 65, people with disabilities (with approved documentation of disability), and youth ages 6-17 is $.75 per zone. One-day passes and monthly passes are available.
For general information, a system map, and bus schedules, check out the Gold Country Stage Rider's Guide.
Gold Country LIFT
For those who need 'door-to-door' transportation due to a disability or disabling health condition, the
Gold Country LIFT provides paratransit services in western Nevada County. This service is a shared-ride public transportation service for people who are unable to access the fixed route (Gold Country Stage) bus.
The LIFT service area covers the same routes as the GCS, with an additional three-quarters of a mile extension on either side of the Gold Country Stage fixed route service. This is called the ADA corridor. Some riders who live outside of the GCS's service area use the LIFT to connect to regular GCS service.
The LIFT operates from 6:30 am to 8:00 pm, Monday through Friday and 7:30 am to 5:00 pm on Saturdays. For people over 60, the LIFT is available from 8:00 am to 2:30 pm on Sundays. One-way fares for the LIFT are $3.00 within the ADA corridor.
To access the LIFT, you must complete an Americans with Disabilities Act Request for Certification of ADA Paratransit Eligibility application in order to certify that you have a disabling health condition. This form is available by calling the LIFT at 271-RIDE (7433) or by visiting their website.
To ride the LIFT, you must make a reservation at least a day before the trip.
All Gold Country LIFT and Gold Country Stage buses are equipped with wheelchair lifts. Both the LIFT and GCS allow trained service animals to ride with you.
Plan Your Trip with 211
211 Nevada County now provides information and trip planning assistance for people of all ages. If you would like help exploring which transportation option will work best for you, call us by dialing 2-1-1. Our call agents will walk you through your options and even give you step-by-step instructions for how to get from Point A to Point B.
If you prefer to research transportation options on your own, check out the Transportation Guide on our
website. The guide covers information on a wide range of transportation-related resources, including biking/walking trails, ride and car-sharing, grocery delivery services, online tools and applications, and non-emergency medical transportation.
Good luck in your travels!
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Ask SAL is a monthly column that gives our readers a chance to ask us questions about resources for seniors in Nevada County. If you have a question for SAL, email us at alicej@ns-pa.org.
The Senior Assistance Line is funded by:
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Free Tax Assistance Available
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Help is Here for Simple Tax Returns
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Tax season is upon us again. This year we have two great free resources in our community to help Nevada County residents get through the paperwork and get those taxes filed. Here are the details:
AARP Tax Aide
AARP offers free tax help for people of any age with low and moderate income. Volunteers are trained and IRS-certified each year to ensure they are up-to-date with U.S. tax code revisions. You do not need to be a member of AARP or a retiree to use this service.
Tax assistance is by appointment only. Appointments are available on Mondays from 9 am to 3 pm beginning February 1st and ending April 11th. Call 211 Monday-Friday 8:30 to 5 to schedule your appointment.
Department of Child Support Services
The Nevada County Department of Child Support Services (DCSS) provides free tax preparation assistance on simple tax returns to help those who are eligible for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) claim it on their 2015 taxes. EITC is a benefit for individuals and families with low to moderate income. The credit can range from $2 to $6242, but you must file a federal tax return in order to claim your EITC.
Beginning January 26th, DCSS will hold drop-in clinics for those who need assistance filing their simple tax returns. Clinics will be held Monday through Friday from 8:30 am to 3 pm through April 15th. Evening appointments will be available upon request.
Those who would like assistance should bring the following:
- Photo ID for you and your spouse (if filing jointly)
- Social Security card and birth dates for you, your spouse, and dependents you are claiming
- W-2s for all jobs held in 2015
- 1099 forms (such as 1099G, 1099MISC, 1099Int) from 2015
- For direct deposit (and a faster refund), bring your savings/checking account number
- Your spouse, if married and filing jointly
- If you paid for child care, documentation listing provider name, address, Tax ID# and amount paid
The tax clinic will be held at the DCSS office at the Rood Center, 950 Maidu Avenue, Nevada City. Enter through the Social Services lobby. For more information, call 211 or DCSS at 530-265-7097.
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60+ Town Hall Meeting February 17th
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Area Agency on Aging Seeks Input on Senior Services
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| Click on the above image to open a PDF of the event flyer |
Each year, our local Area Agency on Aging (Area 4) spends over $400,000 providing services to Nevada County residents who are 60 and over. Every four years, Area 4 asks community members how they want that money to be spent.
On February 17th, Area 4 is hosting 60 Plus: A Community Conversation to give Nevada County seniors and other stakeholders a chance to help set service priorities. These town hall-style meetings are your chance to have a say about the direction of services for people 60 and over.
What: Agency on Aging Area 4 Town Hall Meeting
When: Wednesday, February 17th
10-11:30 am or 4-5:30 pm
(You will only need to attend one session)
Where: Board Chambers
Eric Rood Administrative Center
950 Maidu Avenue
Nevada City, CA 95959
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Truckee Emergency Warming Center
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Shelter Set to Open During Inclement Weather
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Winter has arrived in force in the Sierras this year, bringing with it frequent snow storms and freezing temperatures. Thanks to the efforts of a coalition of community organizations, Truckee residents without shelter or heat will now have a place to stay warm during severe weather.
The Truckee Cold Weather Emergency Warming Center was created by United for Action (UFA), a group of local faith based groups, non-profits, and counties to serve people in the community who may be experiencing homelessness, living without heat, or who cannot afford to heat their homes.
The Center is open for people 18 years of age and over if one of the following occurs:
- The temperature is 15 degrees or colder
- More than a foot of snow is forecasted or other severe weather conditions exist
In these instances, the Center will be open from 6:00 pm to 7:00 am, and guests will receive a warm dinner, breakfast, and a place to sleep if they check in by 10:00 pm. Men and women will have separate sleeping areas. Families will be referred to other options in the community. Referrals to other community resources will also be provided as needed.
The Center is located at 10079 Church Street within Truckee's Church of the Mountain and is staffed by trained volunteers.
If you are interested in helping, please contact Cathie Foley at comumc@sbcglobal.net. Donations are also accepted and tax-deductible. For more information, see the Tahoe Truckee Community Foundation website.
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The FY 15/16 2nd Quarter Report is Now Available
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The second quarterly report of the 2015/2016 fiscal year is now
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Click on the above image to open a PDF of the full report.
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available. Between October and December 2015, 211 received 7,423 web searches and phone requests for information on housing and shelter. There was also a high number of requests for aging and disability resources, with 6,190 combined web searches and phone calls in the second quarter.
For more information on the needs of our community, check out the full report here.
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