– “I thumb your thumb”, to the rescue of senior hitchhikers
Some public benches in the town have been equipped with a sliding sign indicating the wish to be picked up by car.
Published today at 7:30 a.m.
With the “J’te Thumb” initiative, all you have to do is slide the sign, wait patiently and hope for a vehicle to stop.
© Gruyère Pays-d’Enhaut regional natural park
Damounais who do not have private means of transport, and whatever their condition and age, will now be able to hitchhike more easily to Château-d’Œx. Since April 20, benches equipped with a “I’m thumbs up” sign have been available to indicate your request to be picked up while hitchhiking. You have to slide a sign that covers each of the benches and then wait patiently for the motorist ready to give a helping hand. The bench obviously retains its primary function of sitting when the panel is not slid out.
The initiative was born from the wishes of Damounais seniors. Mary-José Henchoz proposed this concept during a meeting of the “Seniors and Landscapes” project. This community approach is led by Pro Senectute Vaud and the Municipality of Château-d’Œx. The Gruyère Pays-d’Enhaut Regional Natural Park was integrated into the design, leading to the solution of panels to be installed on the public benches scattered throughout the village.
Mutual aid, trust and service
“Mary-José Henchoz’s observation – shared by others – highlighted the difficulty for certain non-motorized people in making short journeys in the village,” indicates the Natural Park. “J’te Thumb” is thus centered on mutual aid, trust and service.
Rather avant-garde, it offers residents a mode of transport complementary to public transport and the taxi service. “The concept is open to everyone, with a limit applied to minors who can only benefit from it in the company of an adult,” specifies the PNR.
Several panels were installed on April 18 in strategic locations in the village, close to points of interest in the community, on existing benches. The park wanted functional signage. Imagined by the Parallèle communications agency, “it could be used in other municipalities in the park that would like to replicate the project,” concludes the Gruyère Pays-d’Enhaut PNR.
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