October is Community Transportation Month, continued
- October 18, 2024
- Transportation
Focus on Monadnock Region Volunteer Driver Programs
In last week’s Community Transportation Month blog, we highlighted public transit services that operate within the City of Keene. But what about the rest of the Monadnock Region?
Well, let’s turn the spotlight to Volunteer Driver Programs (VDPs). VDPs provide transportation for individuals all over the region. This means that you can get a ride from Hinsdale to Windsor, Langdon to Greenville, or anywhere in between! You can even request a ride to a destination outside of the Monadnock Region.
But wait, it gets better!
VDPs run on teams of dedicated volunteers, so making a friend is almost certainly part of the deal! (Who knew that community transit could be such a great place to make friends?)
So whether you want a more personal ride or just need to get to where you’re going, VDPs could be the right fit for you.
Three programs in the region
In the Monadnock Region, there are three volunteer driver programs: Community Volunteer Transportation Company, Cheshire Village @ Home, and Future in Sight. All of these services are free, but some are only available to certain populations.
Okay, so what do I qualify for?
I’m glad you asked! Check out this table.
If you’re a… | then you qualify for… | so contact… |
Youth (under age 18) | Community Volunteer Transportation Company | 603-821-0569 |
Person with disabilities | Community Volunteer Transportation Company | 603-821-0569 |
Age 50+ | Community Volunteer Transportation Company | 603-821-0569 |
Cheshire Village @ Home member | Cheshire Village @ Home, Community Volunteer Transportation Company | 603-903-9680, 603-821-0569 |
Future In Sight member | Future In Sight, Community Volunteer Transportation Company | 603-224-4039, 603-821-0569 |
Let’s take a look at each of these services.
Community Volunteer Transportation Company
Have an out-of-town destination but don’t know how you’ll get there? The Community Volunteer Transportation Company (CVTC) has got your back. This program serves the whole Monadnock Region and is free (donations are always accepted). Rides are available to individuals who have transportation limitations, including older adults, people with disabilities, youth, and veterans. CVTC provides rides to non-emergency medical and social service appointments, grocery stores, pharmacies, and banks. Call 603-821-0569 at least five days in advance to schedule your trip. As with many covid-era programs, demand is up but resources are down, so volunteer drivers are always needed. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer driver (perhaps you’re retired but NOT tired of driving), reach out to 603-821-0569.
Cheshire Village @ Home, a program of Keene Senior Center
The Keene Senior Center also has a volunteer driver program offered through their Cheshire Village at Home (CVAH) membership program. CVAH offers older adults an affordable option for staying in their own homes when transportation and household chores become difficult. Services include a transportation service for adults over the age of 50 in the western Cheshire County region. Destinations include medical appointments, shopping, social visits, and more. These rides are available on weekdays and must be requested in advance. These rides are free but available only to Cheshire Village at Home members. To learn more about membership or volunteer opportunities, call 603-903-9680.
Future In Sight
Another volunteer driver program of note is run by Future In Sight, an organization that also operates in the Monadnock Region. This service provides no-cost rides to people who are blind or visually impaired. This service is also restricted to members, so reach out to 603-224-4039 to learn more.
Recognition of these important programs
Volunteer driver programs are crucial to “filling the gaps” in public transit networks, especially for populations who otherwise would not have access to transportation. To highlight the importance and celebrate the successes of these programs, Volunteer NH identified VDPs as an Outstanding Awardee for 2024.
To learn more about SWRPC’s transportation work, visit www.swrpc.org/programs-services/transportation.