ACTA Adds Spanish Services to its Transportation Program

Alamance County Transportation Authority has added a new facet to its transportation program and is now able to provide clients with Spanish services.

Since last year ACTA has been working on translating its brochures, website and other literature to attract the Spanish speaking community, but today ACTA is not only able to provide its clients with the literature but with Spanish interpreters at its offices.

As of September 2006, interns from Elon University have been working with ACTA to better facilitate communication for clients who are not able to speak English and require transportation service.

“It’s great to come in and not only be an interpreter, but help with the literature and get this part of the transportation service offered by ACTA up and running,” Intern, Judy Ruiz said.

In the future if interpreters are not available at the time of the call, ACTA plans to offer conference calling with an ACTA worker and an interpreter.

The main goal is to provide the Latino community with the transportation they need by letting them know the transportation is available.

“We want to provide a better opportunity and to advertise the presence of the transportation to the Latino community,” Executive Director, Dennis Williams said.

Aside from the literature, ACTA plans to also advertise their service on La Voz, the Alamance County newspaper.

As part of the program coordination ACTA has also been in contact with local Mexican stores and churches to spread the word about the service.

“It is great to have an opportunity to make a difference in the Spanish-speaking community,” intern, Amanda Martini said.

The move to extend the literature and Spanish service has been in part due to the growing demand for the service, but also to stay in sync with other transportation services.

“There is growing demand in the population for it and a growing trend in transportation to reach all populations and people in the community,” Executive Director, Dennis Williams said.