What is a Carolina Meadows resident to do when she is suddenly unable to drive to a medical appointment? It took only one trip with our Transportation Department for me to appreciate that service. On the trip I learned that six drivers, on duty from 8:30 a.m. until 5:00 p.m., book trips in all directions: to nearby Chapel Hill, North to Durham Regional Hospital, South to Pittsboro, East to Highway 55, and Northwest to Hillsborough’s new UNC and Duke clinics. And there is no charge.

Health-related trips are only some of the services the department offers. We can take free bus rides three times a week for grocery shopping at Governor’s Village and to locations for miscellaneous shopping at Chatham Crossing, Meadowmont, Walmart, and University Mall, among other venues in the Chapel Hill area.

For a reasonable fee, evening bus trips take residents to special events such as Durham Performing Arts, symphony concerts, and monthly Dinner Night Out at restaurants chosen by the staff and residents. Soon a monthly lunch outing will be offered.

Some of our drivers are vetted and hired from outside Carolina Meadows, but a significant number are promoted from our own staff in areas such as dining services, maintenance or housekeeping, ensuring that we keep good people here and reward them for their work. With 7 cars, 4 buses, and a van, Transportation Department folks say they can keep up with the flow of comings and goings. Residents say that their prompt, safe service offers another way of making life at Carolina Meadows relaxing and trouble free.