Summary
Transportation Services in Colorado Discussed
In the meeting, Bob Rucker, the founder and president of Age Wise Colorado, welcomed everyone and introduced the presenters, Teresa Rinker from the Denver Rtd and Colleen Samuels from the Denver Regional Mobility and Access Council. They discussed the topic of transportation, with Todd Glasser from Med Ride presenting about non-emergency medical transportation services in Colorado. The company has nearly 400 vehicles across the state, providing door-to-door service 24/7. They serve about 2,000 trips a day through facilities, private pay, and Medicaid. The conversation ended with Bob Rucker handing over to Teresa Rinker for her presentation.
RTD Discounts and Live Program
Theresa discussed the discounts offered by Rtd, including the senior discount and the live program. She explained that seniors aged 65 and over are eligible for a 50% discount, which includes travel to and from the airport. Proof of eligibility is required, which can be a driver’s license or an Rtd special discount card. The discounted fares are available in various forms, including the Rtd my ride app, paper ticket books, and monthly passes. Theresa also mentioned the live program, which is an income-based program open to customers between 20 and older, with a 50% discount. She explained the application process for both programs and mentioned the accessoride service, which is a shared service for those who cannot use regular fixed route.
Non-Emergency Medical Transportation Services
Bob led a meeting where Todd and Theresa presented about their services. Todd discussed Metro One Ambulance, a non-emergency medical transportation service that provides ALS and BLS throughout Colorado. He mentioned that their services are 75% less than a 911 call and are available 24/7. Bob asked about Medicaid transportation areas, and Todd clarified that they primarily serve South and Southwest Colorado, excluding Denver. Tanya asked about Grand Junction, which Todd confirmed is included in their service area. Bob then asked Theresa about their live program, which provides a 50% discount for eligible customers. He also inquired about purchasing ride books for residents at the discounted rate, to which Theresa responded that anyone can purchase their products, but the resident must show proof of eligibility. Bob also asked about Med Ride services in Northern Colorado, and Todd confirmed that they have contracted clients in Fort Collins, Loveland, Greeley, and Sterling. Tanya asked for contact options for Med Ride, and Todd provided his direct contact information and contract phone number lines.
Airport Accessibility and Mobility Management
Bob and Theresa discussed the accessibility of the airport through Accessoride, with Theresa providing a link to the Accessoride page and promising to answer further questions. Coleen then took over, presenting the mission and history of the Regional Transportation Coordinating Council, which she founded in 2005. She highlighted the council’s role in advocacy for people with mobility barriers, providing mobility management through coordination, education, and information sharing. Coleen also introduced the Getting There Guide, a free resource with over 60 travel provider options, available in multiple languages and formats. She emphasized that the guide is a work in progress, with the 17th edition currently being revised. Coleen also introduced the Information and Assistance Call Center Line, which provides individual consultation and translation services. She concluded by promising to answer a question about limited resources in Northern Colorado after the presentation.
Paratransit App and Travel Training
Coleen presented the Paratransit app, which was created in 2022 and is the first of its kind focusing on paratransit. The app provides a list of transportation providers, filters results based on user needs, and incorporates resources like food and housing. It is free and easy to use, with training available for those uncomfortable with technology. The app is available on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store, and a version is also available on their website. Coleen also discussed their travel training program, which aims to help people become more comfortable with alternative modes of transportation. The program offers three free training sessions in person or via Zoom, and a new Learning Management System (LMS) platform will be launched on April 1st, allowing users to take trainings at their own pace. To sign up for virtual trainings, users can visit their website, and for in-person or LMS platform trainings, they can email info@drmack-ceo.org.
Dr. Mac Website for Transportation
Bob led a meeting where Coleen presented the Dr. Mac website, which provides over 60 transportation options for people with disabilities. The website allows users to filter options based on their needs, such as Medicaid services, veteran status, and free transit options. Coleen also mentioned that the website is available in multiple languages and can be accessed via the app or web browser. Bob also reminded the attendees that medical transportation costs can be itemized for tax deductions. The conversation ended with Bob thanking the presenters and attendees, and he mentioned that the recording and transcript would be posted on the website.