Effective immediately, Chatham Transit Network is offering a medical transportation program, Health Rides, for county residents age 60 and older and adults age 18 and older with a disability or health condition that prevents them from driving. The program will help them get to medical and dental appointments and pharmacies.

The new program is funded by a $60,000 grant from the NC Department of Transportation, with $6,000 in matching funds from the Chatham County Council on Aging.

It is offered as a voucher program, which means that an agency, such as the Council on Aging, must provide a voucher or request to Chatham Transit Network on behalf of the Chatham resident needing the service. The voucher is simply a written form requesting the transportation and providing the details needed, such as date, time, address and destination.

Health Rides currently does not have a limit on the number of rides provided to specific residents. The transportation service is door-to-door, which means that residents will be picked up at their homes and taken to the locations of the health services and returned home. If special assistance is needed, such as a wheelchair lift van, residents should request this when requesting the transportation service. Caregivers, family members or aides may accompany the resident.

To obtain medical transportation through Health Rides, residents should contact Evelyn White, transportation coordinator for the Council on Aging at 919-542-4512. Health and human service agencies throughout Chatham County also can refer eligible residents to the Council on Aging for Health Rides services or they can contact Chatham Transit Network directly.

IMPORTANT:  Requests must be made at least 24 hours in advance.

“This grant represents a significant increase in funding available to help older adults and people with disabilities access needed health care. Chatham residents face significant transportation challenges, so Health Rides is a key step in improving the health and wellbeing of residents throughout the county,” said Angel Dennison, executive director of the Council on Aging.

Dale Olbrich, the director of Chatham Transit Network said that Health Rides is a great example of positive results through partnerships with other organizations. “Without this collaboration with the Council on Aging to secure major funding, it would not be possible for us to provide important health-related services to seniors and residents with health conditions that prevent them from driving.”