Freedom Road Transportation Authority Volunteer Program
Freedom Road Transportation Authority (FRTA) is a nonprofit organization with a distinctive volunteer driving program—distinctive because it eliminates transportation program operations like scheduling, route-setting and the cost of vehicles and staff. The program enables older adults, people with disabilities and low-income individuals to choose their own drivers, including family members, and set their own schedules for any travel destination. The program is funded by the Federal Transit Administration’s (FTA’s) Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities Formula Program (Section 5310) and private foundation grants. It began in 2008 and was modeled after TRIP in Riverside, California, which is a collaborative partnership between the Independent Living Partnership, the local Area Agency on Aging and the regional planning organization.
Eligibility is based on an individual’s inability to use public transportation; supported by a doctor’s letter; and either Medicaid or a state benefit ID that verifies age, disability and income qualifications (i.e., annual income of $22,000 or less). Freedom Road Transportation increases rider independence and mobility and is a simple, safe option for anyone who is unable to access or use public transportation.
The program offers mileage reimbursement for riders who have their own drivers. Each rider is eligible for 200 miles per month and reimbursed at a set rate per mile, which can be used for any type of travel. Riders are responsible for paying their drivers. The program supports residents of Oakland, Macomb, Wayne and Monroe Counties. Freedom Road Transportation uses the TRIPtrak Software, and the primary costs for operating the program are administrative, including obtaining matching funds, tracking program costs, processing mileage reimbursement forms from riders, providing mobility management, and conducting outreach and marketing.
What makes this innovative?
This volunteer driver transportation program provides mileage reimbursement to riders, and it eliminates barriers and access issues for riders, allowing them to schedule rides as needed with drivers whom they choose. It is a cost-effective use of funding, and it is a safe and flexible option for riders who experience anxiety issues or may feel vulnerable with unfamiliar drivers or in unfamiliar situations. It fills gaps in public transportation and goes beyond ADA requirements by offering unrestricted travel. Riders can use their miles for any purpose, such as attending community events or faith services, visiting family/friends, going to the doctor and accessing basic needs. There is no cost to riders for this program. The reimbursement from the agency is to the rider, not the driver, so it does not impact the driver’s income or eligibility for benefits.
Freedom Road Transportation measures its success through customer satisfaction surveys, consistently achieving approximately 90-percent satisfaction. The agency regularly receives letters of gratitude and support from riders and their referral partners, including hospitals, senior centers, the local Area Agency on Aging, health network communities and local government. Since inception, Freedom Road Transportation has reimbursed more than 1.6 million miles, provided 15,359 one-way trips and has 120 active riders enrolled in the program.
Funding for this innovation is provided by FTA’s Section 5310 and private foundation grants.
Lessons Learned and Replication Advice:
› Consider other transportation providers’ innovations and look for ways to modify and implement for your own agency.
› Conduct community outreach and marketing to promote any new transportation program, and recruit riders and community organizations, particularly aging and disability service providers, willing to make referrals.
› Provide mobility management to riders with other resources and planning assistance on all transportation options available in the community.
› Set up a system to track program expenses and trip information and handle necessary paperwork like mileage forms submitted by riders for reimbursement.