| ATP Ride Provision Services - 2025 |
Amount Funded: $3,000.00 |
| The purpose of the ATP Ride Provision Services is to provide affordable transportation services to families with low or moderate incomes which will enable their access to important life, health and legal services located both in Stoughton and within a 40 mile radius of Stoughton. The project attempts to fill the transportation gap that currently exists in Dane County because there are no affordable public transportation options available for low-income Dane County residents who need access to make important health, social service, food, legal and legal or other important appointments. Given the current uncertainty surrounding the distribution of federal grant awards, local support is especially important for continued provision of affordable transportation services. The demand in Stoughton for affordable rides provided by the ATP Ride Provision Services has grown as more persons have become aware of the availability of free and low cost transportation. Grant funding will assist the ATP Ride Provision Services in meeting this growing need. The creation of language sensitive informational and promotional material increases the potential for persons with limited English language proficiency to take advantage of affordable transportation alternatives provided by the ATP Ride Provision Services. Transportation services provided by the Stoughton Affordable Transportation Program Ride Provision Services will increase the ease with which persons with low English language proficiency can transition into American society and the Dane County area. To meet the increasing demand for affordable public transportation in Dane County, the Stoughton Affordable Transportation Program is seeking to increase the number of volunteer drivers employed in providing transportation services for its Ride Provision Services program. Funds awarded will be expended over a period of 12 months to assist payment of volunteer driver mileage reimbursements, to assist the payment of premiums for liability and workers compensation insurance premiums, and to purchase when needed, sanitation and protection equipment. It is anticipated that the program outcomes will provide a higher level of employment, a lowered demand for social services, and a positive benefit of increased health and well-being for low-income families in the city of Stoughton. |
| The Stoughton Affordable Transportation Program employs volunteer drivers to provide rides for eligible persons and families to locations in the city of Stoughton and locations within a 40 mile radius of Stoughton. Rides are provided free of charge to eligible clients with low or moderate incomes according to federal poverty guidelines. Volunteer drivers provide rides with their own insured vehicles, which are properly sanitized for disease prevention. All drivers submit to a check of their driving record and background for criminal activity, must have proper automobile insurance coverage, and good medical status. A paid coordinator schedules client rides, recruits volunteer drivers, and manages the operations of the Program. A paid staff person attends to administrative matters for the program. Volunteer drivers are reimbursed for their mileage to and from the trip destination and receive a quarterly incentive payment as an appreciation incentive for their services. Valid destinations for client transportation requests include: appointments for court, legal, medical, housing, employment and/or job training, food pantry assistance, and other important personal matters. All clients must meet Affordable Transportation Program eligibility criteria. Individuals are referred to the Affordable Transportation Program by numerous agencies, including: Stoughton Senior Center, START, United Methodist Church Food Pantry, Stoughton Police Dept., Stoughton Hospital, Dane Co. Dept. of Human Services, and local churches. To provide safe transportation for clients, the Stoughton Affordable Transportation program provides personal protective equipment and sanitation supplies to its drivers and clients when needed. Covid-19 safety measures continue to be practiced for all trips. As of July, 2025, volunteer drivers have provided in excess of 275 rides to 52 clients. Volunteer drivers will provide approximately 500 rides to assist an estimated 60 families by the end of 2025. Volunteer drivers will also drive in excess of 6000 miles for an estimated 1300 volunteer hours by Dec. 31, 2025. Important program goals are: a)to provide 100% accident free rides to clients, b)to increase the number of clients served, c)to expand service provision to persons of need who do not meet federal poverty guideline criteria, d) to increase ride availability for persons who possess limited English language proficiency. |
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