Outreach Mobility Network: Engaging The Local Community About Transportation Needs

The Mobility Network was created to encourage transportation providers to share information, suggestions and questions, and be able to get help and information from their peers in a similar field. It has been rewarding to be able to learn about programs used in other counties, to find out how they have made those programs successful, and then to make connections with others that service the community.

A need like transportation is everywhere, and it affects everyone. More and more of our community has reached a point of not being able to drive, not having the financial ability for transportation, or not having enough public transit available to them. Understanding that has lead us to meet with community leaders, senior centers and their participants, and people with disabilities to find out exactly what their needs are and how we, as a community, can address those needs.

As a result of those conversations, we implemented a shared ride program. This program encourages people to look to one another for ride sharing and transportation assistance. People in these under-served groups often feel like they are a burden when they ask family and friends for a ride. Having something to offer in return for this kind of assistance helps to alleviate these feelings. A form of reimbursement is given to the rider to reinforce their independence and dignity. They no longer feel like they are asking for favors or charity in already-troubled economic times.

We offer Mobility Management training to staff at participating locations so that they can help guide the individual in their search for transportation alternatives, and to understand all the options available to them so that they can make the best choices according to their needs.

In the end, we realized there is no one answer to suit all transportation needs.  By collaborating with our community leaders and neighbors, we lay the foundation and framework for the development of more sustainable alternative transportation options.