Ride Provide offers seniors a needed transportation lift

Mercer County program is based on an E-ZPass-type system

By: Olivia Tattory
   WEST WINDSOR — For Rose Versaggi and her husband Joseph, getting around isn’t as easy as it used to be. Transportation to doctor’s appointments, hair cuts, grocery shopping and other basic travel needs are something many take for granted, said Ms. Versaggi.
   Since February, the West Windsor couple have been relying on public transportation to make up for the fact that they are no longer able to drive.
   Limited hours, limited distances, high cost and unrealistic ride notification requirements are all things that make traveling by service providers difficult for the Versaggis.
   In recent months however, the Greater Mercer Transportation Management Association’s Ride Provide service has provided a reliable alternative for the Versaggis. Based in West Windsor, the association is a nonprofit public-private partnership dedicated to reducing traffic congestion and improving mobility in and around Mercer County by providing a variety of commuter programs and services.
   Ride Provide is a nonprofit community based transportation service for people 65 and over and visually-impaired adults of any age in Mercer County.
   "Ride Provide is really a godsend for us," said Ms. Versaggi. "It enables us to be independent and not have to interrupt the lives of our neighbor’s or children by relying on them for rides all the time."
   The Versaggis use the transportation service at least once a week and sometimes even three times. Between frequent doctor’s appointments and other travel needs, Ride Provide enables them to live life at their convenience.
   Taxi costs were emptying their wallets and public transportation’s short and sometimes inconvenient hours made it very difficult to get around, explained Ms. Versaggi.
   Ride Provide’s reliable service and reasonable cost per trip is made possible through the approximately 25 volunteers who help with administrative work, scheduling and driving. In a combined effort between paid workers and volunteers, the service provides around-the-clock transportation throughout Mercer County for area seniors. The service also travels to directly to adjacent areas of Somerset and Middlesex Counties.
   The program has serviced nearly 4,000 rides since its start in October and continues to grow with strong customer satisfaction, said Greater Mercer TMA Executive Director Sandra Brillhart.
   Ride Provide currently has 250 members, 168 of whom are considered "riding members." Most members use the service for medical purposes and errands but warmer weather has enticed many to use the rides for recreational purposes, explained Ms. Brillhart.
   "We’ve recently begun to receive our customer satisfaction survey results that were mailed a few months ago," she said. "The members have expressed great satisfaction, especially regarding our drivers."
   Volunteer Basil Giletto donates his time once or twice a week as a driver. Having experienced difficulty helping his own mother, who lives 50 miles away, get around,, Mr. Giletto described the service as "a real nice concept."
   He added, "It’s volunteers helping older individuals get around. What can be better than that?" said Mr. Giletto. "I’m really committed to this and think it’s a great cause."
   Ride Provide requires a yearly membership fee of $35 for an individual and $50 for a family, or any individuals living in the same residence. Similar to the E-ZPass program, members have an account to deposit money and charge rides to. Ride Provide employs a zone-based system. Members are charged a one-way rate determined by the distance of the trip. Zone 1 costs $6, Zone 2 costs $10 and Zone 3 costs $15. A two-day notice is required for all rides.
   Originally part of the Independent Transportation Network and dubbed ITNGreaterMercer, Ride Provide is no longer associated with the national affiliate ITNAmerica — a public-private partnership established to provide dignified transportation for seniors. Anyone interested in learning more about the service or to schedule a ride can call (609) 452-5140. Ride Provide can also be accessed on the Internet at www.rideprovide.org.