It’s easy to get into simple routines. Most of the time a person doesn’t even realize they have a routine until they have to change something. You wake up, put on a robe, brush your teeth, fix some coffee and read the newspaper every day until it becomes a habit. But what about driving your car? Driving can become part of a person’s routine, too.

For some people, there is no such luxury as having the ability or means to drive a car. There are individuals who have to use public transportation to get their daily errands done.

Locally, we have the Chilton County Transit. These people work eight-hour shifts driving buses to make sure people who don’t have a way to get around can get things done – things like buying groceries or going to the doctor.

“We are here Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. until 4 p.m.,” Director Jan Davis said.

According to Davis, many people still believe the transit is only for handicapped or elderly people. It is, in fact, for people of this caliber but is not limited to these frequent visitors.

“We end up serving a lot more of our elderly because people think that the transit is just for elderly or handicapped people while in real life we are here for everyone,” Davis said.

On the second Tuesday and third Thursday of each month, the transit helps take anyone needing a ride to the doctor even if it means a trip to Birmingham or Montgomery.

The transit operates off of an Alabama Department of Transportation grant that is matched by a combination of the Chilton County Commission and money donated from all of the county’s municipalities.

Sherold Miller, a driver for Chilton County Transit, has served the public for 23 years. In her opinion, it has been a blessing to her as she gets to help all kinds of people get where they need to go.

“I really enjoy being able to be there to help. There are so many people out there who just need help getting to the grocery store, the doctor or even just to work, and that is what we are here for,” Miller said.

– Ashley McCartney can be reached at ashley.mccartney@clantonadvertiser.com.