8. VTS Mission
Mission
Centralina Connection, operating as Volunteer
Transportation Services, provides rides to the
transportation disadvantaged, including older adults,
veterans, and persons with disabilities. Through
partnerships with community organizations, existing
transit and volunteers, individuals will have increased
access to transportation services necessary for
maintaining independence.
9. VTS Goal
Goal
To provide transportation options to older
adults, veterans and adults with permanent or
temporary disabilities in the nine-county
Centralina area by linking them with volunteers
who are able to drive them to their destinations.
10. The Importance of Mobility
Transportation is a lifeline service
for older adults, veterans, and
people with disabilities
People who cannot afford to own and operate
their own car, or are uncomfortable or unable to
drive need safe, reliable transportation
11. Current Transportation Gaps
• Public funds for transportation
are often limited
• State funding for public
transportation decreased
by 15% in recent years
• Eligibility criteria and destinations limit options
for transportation disadvantaged
• Need outweighing funds available
12. Initial Project Background
•Funding: NCDOT FTA Section 5310 grant for $198,000
•Period of Performance: December 2011- September 2013
•Study Area: Nine-county Centralina Region
•Objectives:
– Develop Mobility Management program for
the nine-county region
– Increase coordination between systems
– Establish one-call/one-click center
•Volunteer transportation was identified as a need
through this process
13. What is Volunteer
Transportation?
• Volunteers using their personal vehicles to
transport those needing transportation
• VTS is operated by Centralina Connection,
Inc., a non-profit organization whose mission
is to help residents throughout the Centralina
area in need of transportation
14. Why Volunteer Transportation?
• VTS allows neighbors to help
neighbors
• VTS may be able to provide
services for people who
otherwise would fall through
the cracks
• VTS System does not duplicate
service yet complements
existing services.
15. Benefits of VTS to Community
• Additional capacity for public transportation
systems
– Time of day
– Day of week
– Trip type
• Community linkages
– Conduit to serve specific communities
– Mitigate government funding cutbacks
– Develop relationships throughout area
16. Who can ride?
Eligibility: People who live in Anson, Cabarrus,
Gaston, Iredell, Lincoln, Mecklenburg, Rowan,
Stanly, or Union Counties and are:
•50+
•Veteran
•Adult with a self described permanent or
temporary disability
17. Passenger Requirements
• Sign a liability release statement
• Sign a “Passenger Policy Manual”
• Undergo screenings for criminal backgrounds,
pending charges and sex offender registry
• MUST be an approved passenger before
making a request
• Understand that trips are not guaranteed, VTS
relies solely upon volunteer drivers
18. VTS Specifics
• Organized as a non-profit
– 15 person board of directors
– Includes representatives for each of the nine counties
• Complimentary service no fee, but donations are accepted
– Volunteers covered by $1M in supplemental liability
insurance. This comprehensive policy includes
supplemental medical coverage, auto liability and an
overall umbrella policy.
20. Who Can Volunteer?
Be at least 21 years old
Own a vehicle
Maintain a clean vehicle in safe operating
condition, carry at least NC minimum liability
insurance
Have a NC driver’s license
Undergo background and driver record checks
Pass drug screening
22. Volunteer Requirements
• Complete the Driver’s Application
• Sign page 3 of the Policy Manual
• Participate in Volunteer Training
• Pass a criminal background check,
driving record check and drug
screening
• Agree to participate in reoccurring
volunteer training throughout the
year
23. How Does it Work?
• Volunteers have complete control of their
schedule
• VTS will allow curb to curb or door to door
service agreed to by the volunteer driver
• Volunteer has the access and ability to
self-assign to a request
• Volunteers also can be called or emailed with
trip requests
24. Hours of Operation
•The Call Center (844-VTS-RIDE) will be open
and staffed Monday through Friday from 9:00
AM to 4:00 PM
•Trips may be arranged outside of this time
based on driver availability and passenger need
(including evenings and weekends)
25. Volunteer Benefits
• You determine your availability
• Comprehensive training
• Periodic volunteer appreciation events
• Umbrella insurance
• Mileage reimbursement
• Feeling of satisfaction knowing you are serving
the community!
26. Mileage Reimbursement
• Mileage reimbursement is
currently $0.14 per mile
• Reimbursement starts at the
time you leave your home and
ends when you arrive back home
• Scheduling software will
maintain mileage records once
trip completion report is entered
• Quarterly reimbursements will
be made to volunteers
27. Time requirements?
• VTS is flexible!
• Volunteers determine their schedule
• You can drive as much or as little as you like
(we ask that volunteer drivers provide at least 2 trips a month)
• You determine your available hours
• Volunteer drivers always have the choice to
confirm or deny trips
28. Certified Volunteers
• We are only as good as our volunteers! VTS
has a very thorough volunteer training
process. Before certification- volunteers must:
– Complete Volunteer Application Driver &
Passenger information sheet (page 13)
– Sign receipt of Driver Policy Manual (page 17)
– VTS Volunteer Provide copy of NC driver’s license,
proof of current insurance and current NC
registration
– Complete the Medical Form (page 19)
29. Insurance
• As a volunteer, you must have an active vehicle
insurance policy that meets or exceeds NC
requirements
• VTS provides an umbrella insurance policy in case of
accident or incident while performing volunteer
duties
• Personal insurance will provide primary coverage in
the event of an accident, VTS insurance is secondary
• Please refer to the CIMA handouts for specifics on
the VTS volunteer policy (page 31)
30. Insurance
• Drivers must update VTS with copies of
current driver’s license, registration cards
and auto insurance policies (insurance policies can
expire frequently)
• If there are any changes in coverage
(companies, cancellations or lapses) please notify VTS
staff immediately
• Passengers, escorts, and volunteers each
sign a liability release form
31. Pre-Trip
• Volunteer information is
added to the scheduling
software database
• Trip requests are
entered into the
database and able to be
viewed when you log in
•You have the ability to assign yourself as
the driver or simply keep scrolling
32. Pre-Trip
•VTS utilizes scheduling software
through Assisted Rides.
•Assisted Rides is designed for
organizations & communities that
provide rides for senior citizens,
people with disabilities, etc.
www.assistedrides.com
36. Pre-Trip
• Volunteers are asked to contact the
passenger to confirm pick up time and
destination details. This is also
notification to the passenger that
(s)he has a volunteer for the trip!
• Page 21 in your handbook covers
what volunteers must do prior to
each trip
• Trip Information Log (page 23)
37. During Trip Expectations
• Be punctual
• Introduce yourself
• Confirm destination
• Emergency plan
• Seatbelts must be on before putting the car in
gear
• Always use signals when turning
• Follow all driving laws and safety measures
38. During Trip
• When you arrive at the destination, confirm that
the passenger knows where they have arrived
• Ensure the passenger is safely at their destination
before leaving the site
• At the end of the trip, give the passenger the
donation request and VTS report card (pages 29
& 30). Explain to them their feedback is
important!
39. Post Trip
• Review procedures on page 22
– Complete Trip Information Log
to be submitted quarterly
– Complete the trip in Assisted
Rides
41. Cancellation Procedures
• If you, the volunteer driver, need to cancel a scheduled ride,
please remove yourself as the driver for a ride in Assisted
Rides and contact VTS immediately.
• If you attempt to provide a ride and the passenger is unable
to ride or is a no-show, there will be an entry in the Assisted
Rides website reflecting a “no-show”. The volunteer driver
will still get credit for the mileage incurred.
42. Safety First
Pre-Trip Actions
•Walk around the vehicle
•Check mirrors, wipers, turn signals
lights and seatbelts
•Ensure the interior of your vehicle
is clean and free of debris
•Check fluid levels
•Check brakes to see that they are working properly
43. Safety First
While conducting your volunteer assignment, if
you feel that a passenger needs more assistance
than you can provide, please contact VTS
immediately before the ride begins.
44. Accidents & Incidents
• Contact VTS immediately
• Complete and file the
accident/incident report
within 24 hours
• Refer to page 25
45. Illness
• Sick Passenger:
– Return passenger back home if
they wish or take them to the
nearest clinic or hospital or call
911
• Sick Volunteer:
– Contact VTS. VTS will attempt to
make other arrangements
46. Weather Conditions
• Monitor news during periods of
threatening weather
• Do not take unnecessary risks
by driving when conditions are
unsafe
47. Vehicle Breakdown
• Try to maneuver your vehicle to
the side of the road
• Turn on your four way flashers
• Open hood of car
• Contact roadside assistance or law
enforcement officer
• Contact VTS
• Alternative transportation will be
arranged for passenger
48. Seatbelts
You must comply with North Carolina Law
requiring everyone in the vehicle must
wear a seatbelt.
49. What to have in your vehicle:
• Volunteer Manual
• Paper Towels
• Tissues
• Small Waste Basket
50. Safety Procedures
• The safety of VTS volunteers and
passengers is of the utmost importance
• Please follow all Safety procedures as
outlined in the Policies & Procedures
Manual
• In addition to these policies you will receive
first aid training
51. Please complete and turn
in these forms:
•Volunteer Driver Enrollment
Application (A2 page 13)
•Page 3 of the VTS Driver
Policy Manual (A5 page 17)
Be sure we have
scanned:
•Your Driver’s License
•Insurance Card
•Registration Card
Be sure we have these from YOU!
53. Conduct & Customer Service
• Refer to the Driver Policy Manual (A5 on page 15)
• Treat each passenger with respect and dignity in the
same fashion that you would like to be treated.
• Be a good listener, enjoy the conversation and
participate if you feel so inclined.
• All information, especially medical information,
about your passenger is confidential.
54. Passenger Assistance
Helpful Hints:
•When you arrive at the pickup location
– Greet the passenger
– Show them your VTS badge to confirm your identify
•If you’d like, ask if you can help the passenger to and
from the car by offering an arm and guiding them if they
ask– this can help prevent accidents and promotes
safety.
55. Report Card
• The Driver will give each
passenger a Report
Card and postage-paid
envelope
• Driver will add their
name and date of trip
• This will assist with
Customer Service
56. Passenger Donations & Contributions
• Each trip is at no cost to the
passenger, but there is an
expense for providing the
service
• Drivers must not accept tips,
but instead give contribution
information and postage-paid
envelope to each passenger
• Passengers will place any
completed envelope in the
mail to VTS
58. Americans with Disabilities Act
http://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=vQ2M0oU1wwg&feature=em-
upload_owner#action=share
59. Serve the community!
"Without community service, we would not have a
strong quality of life. It's important to the person
who serves as well as the recipient. It's the way in
which we ourselves grow and develop..."
~Dr. Dorothy I. Height
“No joy can equal the joy serving others.”
~ Sai Baba
Editor's Notes
Thank you for being here!
Transportation Program Overview
VTS utilizes the web-based, secure software Assisted Rides developed by the AlterNetWays Company. Upon approval as a volunteer, you will be given access to the Assisted Rides program, which you can use to determine which trips you may wish to perform. Each trip is meant to help individuals 21 and older with disabilities and seniors 50 and older, hereafter known as “passengers” to obtain life-essential and life-enriching activities.
With the need for transportation far outweighing the funds available, transportation agencies are not able to meet the demands.
In addition, the fastest growing parts of our region are found outside or the more urban areas.
These are the same areas that are difficult to serve by human service transportation agencies since they are further from the more concentrated urban areas, therefore less efficient and more costly to provide service.
VTS created in 2013
Very new!
Will serve individuals 50+, veterans and people with permanent or temporary disabilities
Service Area: Region F
Disability- Self- Described. Need no verification.
Please inform them if you know of another qualified volunteer driver who is willing to take your passenger; otherwise, VTS will try to find another volunteer driver.
Walk around your vehicle- check tires and look for any visible sign of leaks
Check fluid levels- i.e. oil, coolant, windshield fluid, brake fluid, power steering)
Check to ensure that you have performed periodic preventative maintenance as outlined in your owner’s manual. Generally, maintenance is performed every 3,000 or 5,000 miles.
Taxi
Vehicle Breakdown fixed Vs. Vehicle breakdown not fixed
Volunteers should not collect donations, they should direct them to mail in any donations.
