Cape May Court House - Cape May County Freeholder E. Marie Hayes and the Board of Chosen Freeholders announced the winners of the Fare Free Transportation's "Roadeo” held, today, April 14 at the Cape May County Airport, Erma, New Jersey.
The Department’s annual spring training day dubbed “The Roadeo” tests drivers in their everyday activities. The total points that can be earned during the competition is 1,000 points. Each driver is tested in Vehicle Pre-trip and can earn a possible 150 points, Wheelchair Securement is worth 200 points and an Obstacle Course that tests their driving skills is worth 525 points. Also, participants take a written exam worth 125 points that evaluates their knowledge of Federal ADA regulations, rules of the road and passenger service standards.
The first place winner with a score of 921 is Diane Hufana of Lower Township, the second place winner with a score of 842 points is Mae Pacifico-Anderson of Del Haven, Brian Fitzpatrick of the Villas finished third with a score of 820 and fourth place went to Russ Wuest of Dennisville with 809 points.
The local competition is modeled after state and national events with the top three winners of the county’s event going on to compete at the state level. This year, the state competition will take place on May 2, 2015 at Great Adventure in Jackson Township , New Jersey. In the past, Cape May County drivers have gone on to win at both the State and National levels. During the last eight years alone, Cape May County Fare Free drivers have won at nationals five times and have garnered first place at the state championships seven of the last 8 years.
Fare Free Transportation has been serving Cape May County residents for more than forty years. The department operates twenty-six runs each day plus delivers 110,000 meals for the county’s Meals On Wheels program. As a community paratransit system, Fare Free Transportation provides door to door service for one time appointments or, if needed, on a regular basis, plus a bus route service to senior citizens, persons with disabilities, veterans, individuals of low-income and the general public on a first come-first served basis. Fare Free drivers ride more than one million (1,000,000) miles each year making sure county residents in need can go to the doctor, receive life saving medical treatment and do everyday errands. To accomplish this task, there are forty (40) active Fare Free vehicles, equipped with a lift and tie-down securements for wheelchairs, that make between 500 and 700 trips per day and approximately 140,000 trips each year, not including regular shopping routes.
For more information about Fare Free Transportation, call 609-889-3700.