Press release from Land of the Sky Regional Council:
R.I.D.E. Transportation Provider Participates in Local Strive Not to Drive Event (May 16- May 23)
Tom Durancik, of Weaverville Cab service began driving as a registered provider in the County’s R.I.D.E (Ridership Independence for Disabled and Elderly Persons) over four months ago and enjoys offering the service for disabled individuals who cannot drive. He is offering a buy one ride get one free during the week of Strive Not To Drive. Several area R.I.D.E. transportation providers are offering discounts to program participants during Strive Not to Drive Week.
Land of Sky Regional Council has been administering the program since April 2012. More than 3300 one-way trips have been provided since the program began. A total of seven transportation service providers are registered to offer discounts on taxi rides for disabled residents of Buncombe County. R.I.D.E. provides a unique opportunity for individuals with physical challenges by offering the discount coupons on private door-to-door transportation service. Trips must be taken within Buncombe County, but there are no restrictions on hours of operation or trip purpose. If someone qualifies based on a disability, they become eligible to purchase RIDE vouchers from the Land-of-Sky Regional Council in booklets of ten coupons for $25. The coupons have a value of $10 and one coupon can be used per one-way trip. .
Terri Sizemore and her guide dog Mishka are regular customers. “I have a disability,” says Sizemore, “and R.I.D.E. makes it possible for us to travel safely and efficiently.” “Mountain Mobility and RIDE have been essential services for me and also for many of the disabled community residents.” Sizemore purchases 10-ride booklets and uses them to travel throughout Asheville for medical and other appointments. Prices per one-way trip are generally based on mileage. Costs vary among the transportation providers.
Many of the R.I.D.E program users are also registered with Mountain Mobility, the County’s public transit system. R.I.D.E. is another extension of the County’s efforts to provide better transportation for Buncombe County citizens. Riders can take an unlimited number of trips on R.I.D.E regardless of purpose, time of day, and regardless of whether it’s a holiday or a weekend. There are no limits on how many coupons can be purchased. Riders have up to six months to use the vouchers.
Buncombe County provides local matching dollars to the grants which were provided for the program by the Federal Transit Administration.
For additional information or questions about this article, contact Hope Bleecker (828) 305-4594.
Tom Durancik of Weaverville Cab Company (828) 484-9277 is pictured with Terri Sizemore, a registered R.I.D.E user, her service guide dog Mishka, and Rebecca Bedingfield, R.I.D.E. program coordinator at Land of Sky Regional Council. For more Information on how to qualify for R.I.D.E, contact Rebecca Bedingfield at 250-6750 x 5.
Check out the website www.buncombecountyride.com
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