The new all wheel drive iRide van was purchased with a grant from the Montana Department of Transportation and arrived Dec. 2.
Did you know that many of the elderly who qualify for services through Medicaid for their health coverage lack access to these same services? This lack of access is a critical unmet need and a continuing problem for many of Seeley Lake's seniors and disabled residents. The Seeley Lake Community Foundation started the iRide program, in partnership with the Missoula-Ravalli Transportation Management Authority, in April 2017 to help meet the needs of Seeley Lake's transportation disadvantaged.
The Foundation coordinates a shuttle van to bring those in need to important doctor's appointments in Seeley Lake and Missoula. With 575 rides provided since service began in spring 2017, this much-needed service charges only a nominal fee to transport community members to medical appointments, utilizing an amazing group of volunteer drivers.
Our trained drivers, a group of dedicated volunteers, are the lifeblood of this program. We would love to add you to this important community service! If you have one day each week and are interested in helping neighbors in need, please call the Foundation at 406-677-3506 or stop by our office at 3150 MT Hwy 83 N to start the process of becoming a volunteer driver. A current driver's license, proof of insurance, clean driving record and a two-hour orientation are all that is necessary to get started helping neighbors in need!
This year, the Foundation received a grant from the Montana Department of Transportation to help purchase two much-needed new vans (Both current vans have close to 200,000 miles). The brand-new All-Wheel Drive (AWD) van arrived Dec. 2 and we anticipate the new ADA-accessible van will be arriving in spring 2020. We're excited for what these safer and more user-friendly vans will mean for this program.
Rides are by appointment only. They need to be scheduled 48 hours in advance for local trips and one week in advance for trips to Missoula. Schedule your rides with our dispatch service Wednesday through Friday. We make every effort to accommodate all ride requests but we ask that medical appointments are set between the hours of 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. New riders must fill out paperwork prior to riding. The cost is $2 for a round trip within Seeley Lake and $10 for a round trip ride to Missoula. Caring companions or spouses ride along for free!
Please note, the phone number to schedule your new iRide has changed. The new iRide number is 406-916-7860.
The iRide program currently serves the Seeley Lake area. Due to capacity constraints, we are unfortunately unable to serve outlying areas at the present time. Please consider becoming a volunteer driver today, to help grow this service.
The Seeley Lake Community Foundation is a 501c3 nonprofit that engages philanthropy, provides leadership, and enhances the quality of life and economic vitality of the Seeley Lake area.
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