Transportation in Altoona
Dear [Vanna],
Good deal. Thanks for the reply.
Not sure if they have a Para Transit-like outfit here in Altoona. I will look into it. However, if it is anything like the one in Philly, I would not be eligible. They ask you all kinds of questions like: Can you walk to a bus stop? How far can you walk? One block? Two blocks? Four blocks? Then, they want to know if you would be willing to take mobility training so you could learn to ride a bus. Well, in Philly, I could easily ride buses, so in good conscience, I could not submit the Para Transit application there. Several friends suggested that I exaggerate and downplay the truth, and I could get in. But, this just isn’t my style. 
So, while in Philly, I rode the buses and taxis.
However, the situation might be different here in Altoona, as there are no buses that come near here. Closest one is probably about 8 miles away. Yes, under normal circumstances, organizations like Access, only serve the same areas that the buses go. But perhaps I might be able to pursuade them, with my puppy-dog eyes, to work with me. Who knows?
There are aspects of the big city that I’ll miss. For sure. But it’s so much quieter here in rural USA, that I don’t think I’ll miss Philly for long. Besides, it’s a quick 5-hour train ride from here. So, if I really get to feeling blue, I can always go back for a visit. And I usually time my visits with the Overbrook alumni activities. So, perhaps I’ll see you at one of these.
By the way, have you been in touch with [Tad]? He’s working at WPSBC now, in case you didn’t know.
Well, gotta get going. Take care, stay healthy. And I’ll talk with you again soon.
Tom