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Village Party Bus Delivers FUN

By Karen Bagnard
Posted: 09/17/2024

Have you heard the buzz about the Party Bus (aka Pasadena Dial-A-Ride)? Villagers need to be on it!

Dial-A-Ride is a wonderful service provided by the City of Pasadena, serving Pasadena, Altadena and San Marino.  It gives curb-to-curb transportation for seniors and anyone with a disability. The cost for this service is just 75 cents a ride, payable in cash or with a TAP card.

This service is essential to people like me who do not drive but it’s also a great option for those who still do drive. Dial-a-Ride will pick you up at your home and deliver you to your destination with no traffic hassles, parking issues or parking and gas expenses. The buses and vans are comfortable, spacious and air-conditioned. The drivers are always friendly and helpful.

As a way to introduce this great service to Villagers, I decided to call it the “Village Party Bus” and started scheduling outings to various places in the community where parking might be difficult.  

After I discussed this idea with Dial-A-Ride officials, the Village Party Bus launched its maiden voyage to the Pasadena Casting Club Pancake Breakfast down at the Arroyo Casting Pond. There were eight Villagers on that trip and we all had a wonderful time, ate a great breakfast in the cozy club house and enjoyed the pond and surrounding area. Wayne April’s response to the trip was, “The party bus was fun. Traveling with a small group and not having to drive and find a place to park is a treat.”

We had done one other trip a few years ago to an art exhibit at the Armory Center for the Arts in Old Pasadena, and had at least a dozen riders. This was particularly efficient, as parking is always a challenge in Old Pasadena, especially on a Friday afternoon.

The Village Party Bus also provided transportation to the Annual Meeting, where parking was a bit sparse. We will use it again in situations like that, as it was a smooth operation.

We’ve made two trips to the Villa Parke Farmers’ Market, a small but charming open-air market with excellent vendors. And there will be more of those, as well as one to the PHS Saturday Farmer’s Market.

Last month seven Villagers rode the Party Bus to the Fall Preview Show for AnKara Designs on an old estate in Altadena. Parking is prohibited on weekends at the 2323 Pinecrest Drive address, so the Party Bus was perfect for curb-to-curb delivery. Valerie Jones, who visited the AnKara Spring Preview, said she took the Party Bus for its convenience. “The ride was comfortable and I enjoyed the company on the bus,” she said. Judy Packard, a new member, added, “It was fun and I met people I did not know.”

When you ride the Village Party Bus you not only have the benefit of avoiding driving and parking, but you have the festive atmosphere of fellow Villagers riding with you.  Jeff Gutstadt said, “I found it comfortable and fun.” 

Consider joining us for the next trip in October to visit Pasadena Museum of History’s exhibit, “Lights, Camera, Action.” This exhibit highlights Pasadena’s long relationship with the Hollywood movie industry.

In December we will make another trip to the AnKara Design Studio for their Holiday Sale, a wonderful way to shop for the holidays, enjoy light refreshments and be in a relaxed and festive atmosphere.

Our last planned trip to the Christmas Tree Lane Model Railroad Society was cancelled due to torrential rains but they will have another open house in December, and again in April. 

When you register with Pasadena Dial-A-Ride, you can schedule your own trips and even bring friends and family with you. Trips need to be scheduled one to five days ahead and each trip has a 20-minute pick-up window. It’s perfect for visiting friends, joining in Village activities, dining out, shopping and going to movies and plays. For those who are not comfortable driving after dark, it’s a great option until 8:00 p.m. Valerie admitted she “hadn't thought about it” for that purpose.

The Village Party Bus is a party on wheels as well as inexpensive transportation instead of driving all the time. For some it’s a necessity and for others a pleasant alternative to driving. Norma Shammas had never taken Dial-A-Ride before the Village Party Bus. Here’s her response: “That ride felt very pleasant so I decided to register and take a ride on my own.” She added, “I have already told my non-Village friends about the Dial-A-Ride service and will spread the word whenever I can.”