MERIDIAN TOWNSHIP - Many residents' voices were heard during the Sept. 15th Township Board meeting regarding the Redi-Ride service provided by the Capital Area Transportation Authority, otherwise known as CATA.

Meridian Redi-Ride was launched in 2000 and is an advance reservation, curb-to-curb service within the township's service area. Residents say the service helps them get to the grocery store, drug store, clothing store and doctor appointments.

Currently, the service operates Monday through Saturday from 9 am to 5 pm. Yet, some Redi-Ride users say that's not enough, especially when they'd like to have the flexibility of seeing friends and family.

"You can't just decide you want to go out for ice cream, or go to the park, or do anything you want to do. And I'm not just talking about people with disabilities. This is about everybody in Meridian Township who can't drive a car, for whatever reason," said Donna Rose, resident and Redi-Ride user.

Trustee Milton Scales says he understands the residents' frustrations since he recently shared a similar experience.

"I had to have my neighbor take me to Lansing Ophthalmology on his way to work at 7:30 and my appointment wasn't until 10:30. I had to have my friend who owns a nearby restaurant come pick me up and take me to his restaurant as he opened up his restaurant, and I sat around and waited until his wife came to work and she took me home. I've never felt so helpless in my life," said Trustee Scales.

During the discussion, Trustee John Veenstra said that CATA levies more than 3 mills of property tax in Meridian Township, making it all the more appropriate that CATA uses some of the additional money they collect from Meridian Township to subsidize Redi-Ride.

The discussion will continue at the next Township Board meeting on Tuesday, October 6.