Volunteer Transportation Program

Call (866) 623-7505, option 2. If it is your first time calling to request a ride you must register by completing an agency intake form over the phone with the volunteer transportation lead. At this time, we will determine how your trip will be funded, and we will let you know what your approximate cost will be.

Transportation cannot be provided for medical emergencies. In the event of a medical emergency during a scheduled ride, the volunteer transportation lead and/or the volunteer driver, will contact the appropriate emergency response personnel. Should this occur, once the passenger has been transported by emergency response staff, the volunteer driver will be released. The passenger will then need to schedule their return trip, when medically cleared, following normal ride request procedures.

Rides are scheduled on a first-come, first-serve basis. Rides can be requested up to three months in advance. One-week advance notice is strongly encouraged for all ride requests, and a minimum of 72 hours’ notice is requested. Please know, a request for a ride does not guarantee a trip. Once your request is received, we will attempt to secure a volunteer driver to transport you. Riders must have a working phone number in order to confirm appointments.

All scheduled/booked rides must be cancelled by notifying dispatch with a minimum of 24-hour notice.

A rider will be considered a no-show if they fail to take their scheduled trip or if their cancellation is not made within 24 hours of their scheduled pickup time. Cancellations can be made with the volunteer transportation lead by phone or email. A rider’s first no-show will be documented with a written letter from program staff. A second no-show will result in a two-month suspension from the Volunteer Transportation program. A third no-show will result in a six-month suspension from volunteer transportation services. Riders will be notified of any suspensions by letter from the Volunteer Transportation Program lead. Written appeals regarding suspensions can be made to the Volunteer Transportation Program lead and/or Community Services Director. Riders with no-shows will be billed a $25.00 no-show fee.

All qualifying rides will be billed to the appropriate agency, whenever possible. There is no exchange of money between the rider and the volunteer driver. All other trips will be billed to the client, with receipt of payment due within 15 days of the statement.

Volunteer Transportation drivers are unable to accept tips of any kind from riders. Any donations should be sent to Three Rivers Community Action, Inc. c/o Volunteer Transportation Program.

Whenever possible, volunteer transportation will coordinate rides with similar pick-up and drop-off locations and times.

All passengers MUST be able to self-transfer in/out of the vehicle with minimal to no assistance. If assistance is needed, please make arrangements to have an aide accompany you on your trip. The volunteer driver is not responsible for injuries sustained by the rider as they get to and from a volunteer driver’s vehicle. Return transportation for surgery requiring anesthesia cannot be provided without an aide accompanying the passenger.

Transportation that appears to adversely affect the health or well-being of the rider will result in that rider being immediately returned to either the pick-up location or the nearest care facility, whichever is closest.

Riders unable to speak for themselves, or those who are otherwise challenged and unable to ride alone should be accompanied by a caregiver or aide.

Questions about special assistance can be addressed by calling TOLL FREE at (866) 623-7505 option 2, or emailing VTRides@threeriverscap.org

Riders may not consume food or beverages within the volunteer driver’s vehicle without permission by the volunteer.

Smoking or use of tobacco products of any kind is prohibited in the volunteer driver’s vehicle without the expressed permission of the volunteer.

Volunteer Transportation drivers transport residents of Goodhue, Rice & Wabasha counties who are unable to utilize public transportation using their personal vehicle.  Individuals can receive rides to and from destinations such as medical appointments, shopping, entertainment, supportive services, friendly visits, volunteer work and more.

Volunteer Transportation drivers are those who volunteer to spend some of their personal time transporting those persons who are unable to utilize public transportation services using their own personal vehicles.

Find out why one current driver told us “…I think of the many happy moments that I have had and the fine people I have shared them with.  I have enjoyed being able to meet so many wonderful people.  Thank you guys for making this possible for me…”

Call toll free at (866) 623-7505, option 2 or email VTRides@threeriverscap.org.