Recent medical questions precluded me from driving for three months. Being a person driven to find solutions, I learned of RideChoice.

What a Godsend! It made my life doable. I was able to make tons of doctor appointments, continue my volunteer work and do my grocery shopping without imposing on friends over and over and over again. I bragged to relatives in other states about how wonderfully Surprise takes care of its senior citizens.

I just read the articles in this month’s Independent about the city of Surprise cancelling the WeRide program. I’m not surprised at the numerous complaints voiced at the last council meeting. To the people who need it, the program is a lifesaver.

Your article briefly mentioned another program, RideChoice, whose patrons get door-to-door service for just $3. That service is also changing.

Presently, it is open to all senior citizens. As of July 1, able bodied seniors will not be eligible.

The explanation for the changes to both programs is a lack of interest (usage) from the residents. No doubt there has been a lack of interest; who even knew these resources were available?

Replacing “lack of interest in the programs” with “lack of awareness of the programs” would be much more correct. Market both programs and continue them for one more year. I’d suggest flyers at doctors offices, senior centers, grocery stores, churches, etc.

Take a new vote. Your conclusions at that point will be based on reality rather than assumption — unless this whole transportation experiment was designed to fail so the council could say, ‘We offered it, but no one used it.”