Center Aids Seniors Hurt by Van Cutbacks : Transit: Officials try to come up with alternate methods to help its elderly Tustin clients get around.

Getting to and from the Tustin Area Senior Center for people who can’t drive but are not disabled has become more difficult with the phasing out of the Dial-a-Ride Demand van service.

As of Sept. 12, the only people eligible for the popular shuttle service are those certified as disabled under guidelines of the federal Americans with Disabilities Act, or ADA. The same-day shuttle service will cease altogether after Jan. 1.

The Orange County Transportation Authority is reallocating Dial-a-Ride Demand resources to the federally mandated ACCESS program, which was initiated in October. ACCESS provides van transportation to ADA-certified people who schedule rides at least 48 hours in advance. When a new computer program goes on-line in January, people will be able to arrange next-day service on ACCESS.

“It’s a big transition,” said Melissa O’Neal, director of the Tustin Area Senior Center. Some seniors are confused and upset about the changes, she said, and some have even found themselves stranded on outings without a ride home.

“We’re getting a lot of frantic phone calls from people who don’t have cab fare,” O’Neal said. The Senior Center is responding by sending volunteer drivers, she said. In addition, volunteers are training seniors on the intricacies of using the regular bus system.

Help for seniors is also being provided by the city of Tustin. Earlier this month, the City Council renewed a one-year contract with OCTA to provide door-to-door van service for people taking part in the Senior Center’s weekday lunch program.

O’Neal said the center will continue to explore ways of meeting the transportation needs of its clients.