Page Update: The Express
Six months after assuming operations of the Helping Hands Agency (now Page Quality Connections) for individuals with disabilities in Page, Quality Connections will soon begin running its sister service that provides highly needed public transit for the entire community.
The relaunched service will be overseen by Ginger Burgess, most recently the Director of Public Transit in Red River, NM. Ginger has been a professional in the transit space for close to 20 years.
The transit system’s five routes, which operate Monday through Friday, begin and end at the Elm Street Transfer Station in Page and provide service to LeChee, Wahweap Marina, Greenehaven, the Glen Canyon Dam Visitor’s Center, Kaibeto, Shonto, Cameron, and Tuba City. One-way fees are $3, and 20-ride passes and monthly passes are available at a discount.
Additionally, the Northern Arizona Council of Governments (NAGOC) recently received a $300,000 grant to study transportation needs in the corridor with an eye to expanding the service to additional segments of the population and creating connections with other transit systems, such as Navajo Transit System, Hopi Transit and possibly even Mountain Line in Flagstaff.
“The potential for the Page transit agency to make a meaningful impact serving people, not only within Page and surrounding communities, but connecting to the larger cities, is endless,” Ginger said. “Listening to our neighbors’ needs, coupled with the comprehensive study, Page transit will grow to be an inviting and essential part of Northern Arizonans’ lives.”
Meanwhile, under the leadership of Kristine Lozano, Quality Connections Page is continuing to expand its services, including In-Home Services. Danielle Hardy is the new coordinator for that program in Page.
We’re excited for the continuing success of our programs in Page.
Quality Connections Spring STAR Awards
Our recent quarterly STAR Awards celebration was particularly special because it was the first to incorporate our Page Quality Connections program. In fact, we had a three-way Zoom presentation so that participants in the Page and Flagstaff programs – as well as Evergreen Academy Preschool – could all see and interact with each other.
Technologically, it was a challenge, but oh-so-worth it: by the end of the ceremony, it pretty much had become a three-location dance party broadcast online!
STAR stands for ‘See The Ability and Recognize’. STAR recipients are honored for the progress they are making towards their goals – our members for the work they are doing to develop themselves, and our employees for their commitment to supporting our members.
The Spring STAR Award recipients were:
Aereleo Tsinnijinnie – Page Employee
Alexander Tsinnijinnie – Page Member
Carlos Arana – Flagstaff Employee
Johana Ruiz – Evergreen Academy Preschool Employee
Terrill Gaseoma – Flagstaff Member
Congratulations to our Spring 2025 STAR Honorees! Top left: Flagstaff Program Employee Carlos Arana celebrates with family and Flagstaff Regional Director Mercedes Johns-Alanzo. Top right: Page Member Alexander Tsinnijinnie with his Star Award. Bottom left: Evergreen Academy Preschool Director Susan Decker with Assistant Teacher Johana Ruiz.
