Meet the Travel Trainer Who’s Changing Lives for Gorge Residents
Sara Crook demystifies Public Transit for Gorge Residents.
Sara Crook, was all smiles while leading a travel training at the Columbia Area Transit (CAT) Center this June. Photo: Cole Goodwin
By Cole Goodwin
The Dalles, Ore, July 1, 2024 — Navigating public transit in the Columbia River Gorge can be daunting for many, but Sara Crook, a dedicated ‘Travel Trainer’ with the Mid-Columbia Economic Development District (MCEDD) and Columbia Area Transit, is on a mission to change that, one rider at a time.
Do you know what a travel trainer does?
I sure didn’t.
“Don’t worry, I didn’t know what it was either until I was hired,”laughed Crook reassuringly as I stumbled through an answer to her question.
“Many people don't know what a travel trainer does," Crook explained. “But essentially, my job is to ensure that everyone, regardless of their age or ability, can use public transit independently and confidently."
Crook's primary focus is helping those with disabilities, older adults, veterans, school age children and the general community get comfortable with riding public transit.
All busses are equipped with lifts in order to ensure accessibility for people with disabilities. Photo: Cole Goodwin
Crook trains individuals and groups to ride public transit, covering everything from helping individuals understand bus schedules to ensuring they can manage transfers confidently.
Most recently Crook led a 'train the trainer' session with the Age+ Circle of Care volunteers. The training aimed to familiarize volunteers with the local transit routes so they could, in turn, assist their clients in getting around the Gorge. Volunteers also received a Gorge Transit Day Pass, to cover their travel at no additional cost, as a part of the program's commitment to accessibility.
These field trips are “a lot of fun”, according to attendees.
(And they usually result in the purchase of more than a few Gorge Transit Passes.)
Crook and five Circles of Care volunteers, including Scott McKay, Community Liaison for the program left The Link Transit Center in The Dalles, at 11 a.m. where the group reviewed the day's schedule before embarking on their journey to Columbia Area Transit (CAT) Hood River Transit Center where they caught the Columbia Gorge Express (CGE) to downtown Cascade Locks.
Sara Crook talks to a client while they wait to board the Columbia Gorge Express in Hood River, OR. Photo: Cole Goodwin
There they enjoyed lunch at Thunder Island Brewing Co. and spent some time downtown before making their journey back and arriving home in The Dalles by 3:05 p.m.
Participants in the training session left with big smiles and a greater understanding and appreciation of the local public transit system.
Circles of Care Volunteers had a wonderful travel training experience with Sara Crook. Photo: Cole Goodwin
“I enjoyed it tremendously. I was not very much aware of the transit system between The Dalles Cascade Locks. It was great to learn, especially since we work with different clients to help meet their needs. And I got to get to know some of the Circles of Care volunteers a little better. And I got to enjoy the view the whole way! Overall it was a really good thing,” said Sherrie Sinclair Cummins, Circles of Care Volunteer.
“I was unsure at first…But I was very pleasantly surprised by how easy it is,” said Sinclair Cummins. “It’s a much easier system than I thought. You can call Dial-a-Ride to pick you up at your home if necessary. And they can take you to the transit center to take you to Hood River or Cascade Locks or Portland. It’s a great alternative for people where they don’t have to drive and it’s easy to do.”
Now that she knows how easy it is, she’s looking forward to using her hands-on experience to guide her clients on similar journeys.
“The whole reason I wanted to do this venture was to help those who need it. This will make it a lot easier for us and our clients. I think that’s a great thing,” Sinclair Cummins
Circles of Care Volunteer Judy Merill’s favorite part of the trip was getting to chat with interesting travelers.
“It was a fun trip! It was nice to spend time with fellow volunteers and meet other people on the bus. And talk with them and find out where they are going and where they're from and do they use the bus a lot?
There was a guy that had his bicycle. And he rode his bicycle up from Klamath to The Dalles and he was catching the bus from the Dalles to Hood River to Portland to catch an Amtrak home.
There was another guy on the bus who lives in The Dalles and works at a pizza place in Hood River and he was saying he appreciates the bus,” said Judy Merill, Circles of Care Volunteer.
“It was a great opportunity for all of us and Sara does a great job at what she does,” added Merrill.
Volunteers also had high praise for not only the transit system but for their travel trainer as well.
“Sara Crook did a great job being our Travel Trainer,” said McKay. “I recommend if you have questions or feel a little uneasy- call Gorge Transit and get Sara! She’ll be happy to help and that’s her job.”
This hands-on experience helps transform what feels intimidating into something achievable for all, regardless of ability.
Crook's one-on-one sessions focus on specific individuals' needs whether that's overcoming anxiety, help navigating a specific route, or concerns about traveling with a disability.
"We offer mobility device orientation at our transit center," Crook added. "It's important for those with mobility aids to feel comfortable and secure when using public transportation."
These training sessions are just one aspect of a broader effort by MCEDD and the transit providers to make public transit more accessible and less intimidating.
Crook hopes to lead more travel training in schools in the future.
Sara Cook performing outreach about public transit in the Gorge at Gorge Festival of Nations. Photo: Cole Goodwin
“I really want to help high school students! I think a lot of them don’t know that in Wasco County if you have a current high school ID card you can get free rides on the bus and free dial-a-ride. The Link also just launched a Gorge Transit Pass program for High School students. And in Hood River, all high schoolers receive Youth Gorge Passes, which allows them to ride the regional bus system for free!” she said.
Having access to transit in the Gorge opens up a variety of educational, vocational and recreational possibilities for youth.
“The Gorge Pass is an annual transit pass so they can go to Portland and see a show, stay in a hostel and take a bus back in the morning. With their parents' permission of course.” she added.
It also can help alleviate some of the burden of driving on parents and help keep inexperienced drivers safe when traveling greater distances.
The impact of these sessions extends beyond just learning routes.
"It's about freedom," Crook stated. "When people understand their public transit system, their world expands. They gain access to new opportunities, whether it's for employment, medical needs, or social activities."
Crook says that the program helps connect families, friends, and neighbors in the Gorge.
Scott McKay and Circles of Care Volunteers disembarking the Link bus in Hood River, OR. Photo: Cole Goodwin
“One client told me that she was so glad she did this training, because if she hadn’t she wouldn’t have gotten to visit her son who was working at the Hood River farmer’s market that day. And now she feels confident enough that she can go visit him anytime she wants,” said Crook.
Crook also shared a wholesome reason that some parents prefer the bus to driving.
“Many parents use our system to do a child exchange between here and Portland. One client explained to me that she likes it better because she gets to spend that hour or so with her kid during that ride, and get to engage with her instead of just driving.”
Thanks to all the heartwarming moments she’s witnessed, Crook has become a true believer in the power of mobility.
“What’s really special to me is just seeing that “a-ha moment” in people’s eyes where you realize you have helped to unlock that door for people who were intimidated by the idea of learning a new system,” said Crook.
She invites the community to book a travel training with her.
“We’re here to support you, we look out for our community, we want to help open up your horizons and give you the freedom that comes with mobility,” said Crook with a smile. “And we want to help you gain access to whatever adventures you’re looking for here in the Gorge!”
For more information on the travel training program or to schedule a session with Sara Crook or Eve Elderwell (for Klickitat and Skamania Counties) visit the GorgeTransit.com.
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