The recent nasty weather couldn’t prevent Rides for Ridgefield from launching its inaugural Friday, Feb. 14.
“The first ride went fine,” said Dr. Margaret Thompson, the program’s chairwoman. “Because of the weather it took a few times to launch, but we were able to complete the first ride last week.”
The nonprofit transportation service, which operates out of an office in town hall Monday through Friday between 10 and 2, will serve Ridgefield seniors and residents who have mobility problems — a population that is only growing, according to Dr. Thompson.
“There are almost 3,500 seniors in Ridgefield — that’s 14% of the population,” she said. “With an additional 1,000-plus residents who suffer from mobility disabilities, this is a service that is needed and will only continue to be needed.”
A 2012 survey of the town’s senior population revealed that 23% of Ridgefield seniors were non-drivers and that 40% have limited their driving by driving only in town or only during the day.
In addition, the Administration on Aging predicts the proportion of people 65 or older will increase to 19% of Ridgefield’s population by 2030.
With the elderly population growing and the medical restrictions on drivers increasing, Rides for Ridgefield is seeking as many volunteer drivers as it can possibly get for the newly launched rides program.
“We’ve been operating as a mobility call center since May, giving this vulnerable population ride information and other transportation guidance and assistance,” Dr. Thompson said. “But now that we’re out on the roads providing an additional service, we’re going looking for more volunteers — more drivers, specifically.
“The key to this program’s growth is the driver, because there’s no guarantee of a ride without them or a vehicle,” she said. “We’re really going to depend on them.”
Becoming a volunteer driver isn’t as simple as wanting to lend a helping hand, though.
Volunteer drivers have to pass what Dr. Thompson calls a “fairly rigorous review process” that includes completing the volunteer application form, submitting a list of references and interviewing with the call center’s manager.
All volunteers are then required to authorize a background check, review the organization’s code of ethics policy and sign a confidentiality agreement.
Following that step, drivers are required to complete registration forms for themselves and their vehicles, authorize a motor vehicle record check and provide copies of their driver’s license, registration, and a current passed DMV emissions inspection.
Drivers also have to have insurance, although Rides will provide them with secondary insurance when approved as a volunteer.
After all those steps, there are training requirements, which include a safe driving course and an assistance program that teaches volunteers how to assist riders in and out of a vehicle.
“Ideally, we want to be able to match the customer with a vehicle and a driver that is capable and equipped to accommodate all their needs,” Dr. Thompson said. “Once in the vehicle, the rider can go anywhere they need to go.”
She added that volunteers create their own schedule, but must commit to a minimum of six months of service to the organization.
Rides will celebrate those who have already jumped on board — four drivers and 30 volunteers, who help operate the call center throughout the week — Wednesday, Feb. 26, in the large conference room in town hall.
“These are tremendous volunteers that are working their absolute hardest to ensure community members are comfortable with and have confidence in the service being provided,” said First Selectman Rudy Marconi, who helped spearhead the initial senior-mobility task force in 2012.
Dr. Thomspon added that the call center’s manager, Nancy Brandon, and the executive director of Founders Hall, Grace Weber, have played an integral role in getting Rides where it is today.
The call center helps coordinate transportation providers, including the American Cancer Society, Friends in Service Here (FISH), the Ridgefield Visiting Nurse Association, the SPHERE town loop bus, the SweetHART bus, and local faith-based groups.
“We’re not looking to compete or replicate anything that’s already out there,” Dr. Thompson said. “This is an alliance — we’re all working together to give more options to these people and to give them the information they need to take advantage of these transportation services.
“It’ll be great to celebrate all that’s been accomplished,” she added. “I’m sure our partners will come out and celebrate our volunteers and the launching of the ride program.”
Dr. Thompson said that Rides doesn’t have any plans to own vehicles of its own, as it would “change the complexion” of the nonprofit organization.
She wishes to have a minimum of 10 volunteer drivers available once the rides program is established.
Although the call center is open only during the week, she said that riders may call in to schedule a weekend ride if they need one — and if a driver is available.
“The more drivers, the more rides we can offer,” Dr. Thompson said. “The office is closed when town hall is closed, but the rides service can have a lot more flexible schedule depending on how many volunteer drivers sign up.”
For more information about applying to be a volunteer, email info@RidesforRidgefield.org or call 203-894-7433.
To RSVP for Wednesday’s event, email Margaret@RidesForRidgefield.org.