Volunteer Medical Transportation Program
The Volunteer Medical Transportation Program is vital for Madison County’s ambulatory seniors who are 60 and over and have no other means of transportation. The Coordinator matches people in need with volunteer drivers. These volunteers give of their time, vehicle, and energy to help seniors get the medical care they need to stay healthy. When you need a ride to a medical appointment give us a call and we will do our best to help. In order for our program to run smoothly we must ask all of our passengers to read and follow the guidelines described in the Volunteer Transportation brochure.
Program Policies and Procedures:
We need a minimum of three (3) working days to arrange for a volunteer to take you to your appointment. Sorry, no last minute or emergency transportation. Remember the sooner you call in your request the better.
When we are not available leave a message on the answering machine. State your name and a phone number where you can be reached during the day. Your call will be returned as soon as possible.
Call the Transportation Program if anything about your appointment changes. The Volunteer driver needs to be notified of date and time changes, as well as cancellations.
Once you have called with the details of your appointment, sit back and relax! We will do our best to find you a ride. When a driver is found they will call you before the appointment to arrange the time you will be picked up. Please, try to be ready to go as soon as the driver arrives.
If we are unable to arrange for a volunteer to get you to your appointment, we will call you as soon as we know there may be a problem. If you have not heard from the Coordinator by 2:00 p.m. the day before the appointment relax, your volunteer will be calling soon.
The Madison County Office for the Aging reserves the right to stop transportation privileges to any person who abuses the service or violates our policies.
Contributions: The volunteer drivers do not expect to be paid for their services. Transportation is provided to all, regardless of ability to contribute. However, contributions from passengers are gladly accepted and help cover the expense of this program. Send your contribution to: Madison County Office for the Aging, Inc, 138 Dominick Bruno Blvd, Canastota, NY 13032.
When going to an appointment where it is necessary to use the thruway or pay to park, whenever possible, we appreciate your help in covering these expenses for your volunteer driver.
Program Guidelines: Anyone with alternate forms of transportation available must try those services first. Other options include:
- Disabled American Veterans Van 1-800-792-4334 Ext 54352 serves Vets
Please do not ask your volunteer driver to take you any place other than your appointment. Sorry, No shopping trips.
Please do not call a volunteer driver at their home. We have assured them confidentiality and cannot give out their home phone number.
Do not schedule more than one medical appointment in a day. Doctor appointments often take a great deal of time and more than one appointment is too long of a day to ask of our volunteers.
Due to the number of trips arranged we must limit our passengers to no more than two rides in a week.
For more information: call 697-5743 and ask for the Volunteer Medical Transportation Coordinator.