RideConnect

Volunteer Driver Program

RideConnect is a volunteer driver program funded in part by the Ohio Department of Transportation to expand transportation options in Auglaize, Champaign, Darke, Logan, Mercer, Preble and Shelby Counties. We are also in the process of expanding the service into Miami, Montgomery, Greene, and Clark Counties. One of the goals is to eliminate gaps in transportation that exist because of the lack of cross-county and region-to-region transport.

This volunteer driving program is focused on transporting individuals to medical and non-medical appointments and to employment. Priority is given to older adults and individuals with disabilities as well as low-income populations who do not have access to other options. The program allows access for individuals who need transportation outside of traditional transit hours and cannot afford the high cost of private providers. RideConnect program availability is dependent on volunteer availability.

Volunteer Drivers Needed

We are recruiting and training volunteer drivers who can then provide curb-to-curb transportation for passengers who need rides to medical and non-medical destinations. Drivers use their personal vehicles to transport within their county and adjoining counties. This opportunity is flexible, as volunteers have the ability to accept and decline requests based on their geographic area and time they are available. Drivers are expected to safely operate their vehicles according to State of Ohio driving laws and fill out reporting forms.

Drivers are thoroughly trained and vetted, including a required background check. They must hold valid Ohio driver’s licenses with no more than three points accrued, and must be able to read maps and follow directions.

Driver Training & Onboarding

Catholic Social Services covers all fees associated with required screenings and trainings

SafeParish training – available online
Catholic Social Services volunteer onboarding & RideConnect training
Background check
Drug & alcohol screen and non-DOT physical
Defensive Driving Training – scheduled after volunteer starts
Optional/not required: CPR & First Aid

Each driver accepted into the program is encouraged to volunteer for at least two round-trip assignments per month. Catholic Social Services provides mileage reimbursement to volunteer drivers for approved program trips.

Ready to make a difference? Complete our online volunteer application or call 1.833.238.0227 ext. 1195 for more information.

Eligibility

At this time, we are in the process of recruiting and training additional volunteer drivers. If you are interested in learning more about becoming one of our drivers, please contact Michelle Caserta-Bixler or Heather Robison at 1.833.289.0227 ext.1195.

Contact

For more information about this program, please contact Michelle Caserta-Bixler or Heather Robison at 1.833.289.0227 ext.1195.

Location

Our Mobility Management team is headquartered at our Northern Counties Office:

100 S. Main Avenue, Suite 101
Sidney, Ohio 45365

RideLink

Connecting Individuals to Transportation Options

Are you in need of transportation to a doctor’s appointment but don’t know who to call? Are you running low on groceries but you don’t have reliable transportation? Is your prescription ready to be picked up at the pharmacy, but you have no way to get there?

Your link to safe, reliable and affordable transportation begins with RideLink. When you call RideLink at (833) 289-0227 ext.1195 , our staff will link you to the transportation provider that best meets your needs.

The RideLink call center is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (excluding major holidays). Callers are encouraged to plan ahead, as 24-hour notice is required for most transportation providers.

The RideLink program has been made possible by an Ohio Coordination Grant from the Ohio Department of Transportation, and serves Champaign, Darke, Logan, Miami, Preble and Shelby Counties.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will RideLink send someone to pick me up?

No, we do not provide transportation. RideLink “links” you with transportation providers who best meet your individual needs according to desired service, location, and ability to pay.

When you call our toll-free number, you will receive a list of transportation options for medical and non-medical appointments in Champaign, Darke, Logan, Miami, Preble, and Shelby Counties. Some providers can also transport to Cleveland, Columbus, Dayton, and even locations in Indiana. You will be asked several questions in order to link you with providers that best meet your needs.

In most cases, after we give you the information, you are responsible for calling the provider to schedule your own trip. We can assist you in making that call if you have limited resources or an inability to connect with the transportation provider.

What will it cost me to use RideLink?

There is no cost for the call or the information we provide. There may be a fee for transportation services depending on the provider you choose.

Do you have "preferred" providers that you recommend?

Our goal is to give you as many options as possible. When you call RideLink, you will be asked several questions in order to link you with providers that best meet your needs.

We do not recommend one provider over another. It is still your choice of what provider to contact once you have the information.

What are you doing to make more options available?

While RideLink has indeed helped individuals find rides, it has also become clear that there just aren’t enough resources for many of the callers.

“The Federal Transit Administration requires agencies getting funds to have transportation plans,” says CSSMV Mobility Manger Michelle Caserta-Bixler. With that goal in mind, Caserta-Bixler is now also serving as the Mobility Manager for Shelby, Darke and Champaign Counties, working with community stakeholders to update transportation plans. She is also working with the Miami Valley Regional Planning Commission (MVRPC) to address the challenges of transportation for the elderly and disabled across a nine-county region.

What if I feel I’ve been discriminated against by RideLink?

Any person who believes she or he has been discriminated against on the basis of race, color, or national origin by Catholic Social Services of the Miami Valley may file a Title VI complaint by completing and submitting the agency’s Title VI Complaint Form. The Agency investigates complaints received no more than 180 days after the alleged incident.

CLICK HERE for the complaint procedure and form.

“RideLink has been a vital tool in gathering data about the transportation situation and the lack of affordable and available options. With data, we can work to effect change,” says CSSMV Mobility Manager Michelle Caserta-Bixler.

Made possible by a grant from the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT), RideLink has uncovered gaping holes in the transportation scenario and provided CSSMV with opportunities to help improve the system.