Mary-Go-Round: Age-Friendly Innovation Center announces new shuttle service
The Age-Friendly Innovation Center (AFIC), in collaboration with Union County Neighbor 2 Neighbor (N2N), is pleased to announce a new free shuttle designed specifically for Marysville’s older population. The uniquely named service will help adults aged 50 and up frequent places they need to go for groceries, prescriptions, household goods and activities. 
On April 4, the city’s first Mary-Go-Round free shuttle service launched from Helen Evans, 821 Milcrest Dr. running every Thursday to scheduled stops including Meijer, Walmart, Kroger and other community destinations. Shuttles and drivers will be provided by A Way Out Employment, LLC.
The shuttle service is made possible through a grant to the AFIC from the Honda Corporation and was developed in partnership with Neighbors to Neighbors, Bridges Community Action and A Way Out. The shuttles will be equipped for individuals in wheelchairs, and the riders and passengers will be responsible for carrying their own bags on and off the shuttles.
The Mary-Go-Round is part of Phase 2 of a study being conducted by the college’s Age-Friendly Innovation Center. Information will be gathered on the experiences of the riders using the Mary-Go-Round over the next year. A report with findings will be written and presented, potentially giving Marysville and other cities insight into the needs of its ageing population regarding their daily transportation needs. 
“At Honda, creating products that help us move on land, in water or through the skies continues to be our driving inspiration,” said Yvette Hunsicker, vice president, Corporate Social Responsibility for American Honda. “We are proud to support the Mary-Go-Round free shuttle service that will bring the joy and freedom of mobility to so many people in the Marysville community.”
“It is such a pure joy to know that we have another means of transportation to get us to the stores,” says Cathy Lovelace, Helen Evans resident. “We can ride it around the entire day. With the Mary Go Round, I was able to get my hair professionally cut. I can actually go clothes shopping. I haven’t been able to do those things in three years. It’s wonderful to get out of the apartment, be on board and in fellowship with the other people out there in the world!”
The shuttle route begins at 10 a.m. every Thursday at Helen Evans and stops at Windsor Senior Center, Residences at Maple Green, Community & Seasoned Citizens, Meijer, Walmart, and Kroger and repeats this route continuously for 5 loops ending at 3 p.m. For more information, please call 614-398-8849.
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