For Ridgefield seniors and residents with mobility disabilities who cannot drive, figuring out a way to get to stores, social functions, and even vital medical appointments can be a daily struggle. Although there are a number of ride providers in town, many residents are not aware of their services and it can be difficult to determine which services are appropriate in a given situation. And in some cases, none of the available providers can meet the resident’s needs.
That’s where Rides for Ridgefield comes in. The services of Rides are twofold: it provides a central source of transportation information and an additional source of rides.
An Information Source
Rides’ Mobility Management Call Center serves as an information hub where trained volunteers answer phone calls five days a week between 10 am and 2 pm. The volunteers listen to callers’ transportation needs and let them know about appropriate service options from one or more of the Rides Alliance Members—a group of more than 20 providers of volunteer, community-supported, or fee-based ride services.
Here are some of the providers that offer free services for town residents:
• FISH (Friends in Service Helping) — provides volunteer transportation for medical and therapy appointments for senior or disabled residents. (203) 438-8044
• SweetHART Bus — provides transportation within the community and, on a limited basis, to Danbury (for medical appointments on Tuesdays) for seniors and those with mobility disabilities. (203) 744-4070
• SPHERE/Town Loop Bus— provides wheelchair-accessible bus service around town and to Danbury and Brookfield for seniors, people with disabilities, and their aides. (203) 241-7474
• Logisticare — provides wheelchair-accessible transportation to medical and dental appointments for Medicaid-eligible residents. (888) 248-9895
• American Cancer Society — provides transportation to and from treatment for cancer patients. (860) 355-2007
In addition to these providers, other Rides Alliance Members offer rides on a free or paid basis. If appropriate matches are found, Rides’ Call Center volunteers give the callers the applicable provider’s contact information.
Sometimes none of the available providers can meet a caller’s needs, and that’s where Rides brings out its second service—its own team of fully screened, trained volunteer drivers.
Call Center volunteers take down the callers’ ride requests and try to connect them with a Rides volunteer driver who can take the ride. If a match is found, Rides drivers provide friendly, courteous door-to-door service—to anywhere the rider would like to go. Over the past year, Rides drivers have taken residents to theatres, restaurants, beauty salons, friends' houses, medical appointments, and more.
The Rides Volunteer Ride Program serves Ridgefield seniors and residents with mobility disabilities. Please note that before making ride requests, callers must have a Rider Agreement on file. Callers are asked to schedule rides at least 48 hours before the planned ride.
Rides for Ridgefield is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization. For more information, call (203) 894-7433 (RIDE) between 10 am and 2 pm Monday–Friday or go to www.RidesForRidgefield.org.