COTA to provide transport services for Kagman health center

The Commonwealth Office of Transit Authority and the Kagman Community Health Center signed a memorandum of understanding last Friday to provide transportation services to the health center in Kagman.

Joining in the signing of the memorandum were Kagman Center executive director Vince T. Castro, Kagman Center board president Velma M. Palacios, and COTA administrator Thomas J. Camacho.

The memorandum arose from a 2004 survey conducted by the then-Department of Public Health, during which 50 Kagman residents surveyed said they have trouble getting health care because of transportation problems. Another 85 respondents said there were times in the last 12 months when they needed to see a doctor but could not do so because of lack of transportation. Another seven said they are not getting regular medical care for chronic illnesses because of transportation issues.

The survey had a total of 458 respondents.

In response to the call for help on transportation, the Kagman health center originally planned to buy vehicles and hire drivers to assist their patients with their transportation needs.

According to Camacho, that plan changed when the health center learned of COTA’s Call-a-Ride Saipan Service through its campaign activities.

“When we heard about COTA’s Call-a-Ride Service and that it is also open to the public, we were so relieved we arranged to meet with COTA to find out more,” Castro said.

Castro said they learned so much about public transportation during the initial meeting with Camacho and COTA’s key staff.

“What is great about COTA’s transit service is that all their vehicles are accessible, insured, and transit operators are trained and certified on CPR and are required to pass the Passenger Service and Safety Trainer and Driver Certification Program,” Castro said.

“It is comforting to know that COTA’s staff are certified PASS trainers and are currently training and certifying all transit operators,” he added.

According to the memorandum, COTA will provide transportation services to the Kagman Health Center as an independent service provider.

The Kagman Health Center will be responsible “to defray all the published fare for all of its qualified patients” but will only pay for roundtrips between a patient’s residence to KCHC and back home.

Camacho said that once the Saipan Fixed-Flex Route System is implemented in 2015, the public can just wait for the bus at their nearest bus stop location.

“In fact, riders will conveniently get off the bus at the designated bus stop to be located right next to the Kagman Community Health Center in Kagman II,” Camacho said.

Camacho said they are very pleased with the latest transit service agreement and collaboration effort. “These just confirms the recent transit feasibility study that public transportation in the CNMI is needed and plays a vital role in improving the quality of life of people,” he said.

He said public transportation enhances personal opportunities that provide mobility and freedom for people from every walk of life.

According to Camacho, another transit service agreement under development is with the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation.

Camacho noted that COTA also serves the needs of other organizations, including the Center for Living Independently and other patients of private healthcare providers.