| Affordable Transportation Program - 2023 |
Amount Funded: $5,000.00 |
| The purpose of the Affordable Transportation Program is to provide for eligible persons living within the Stoughton School District, affordable transportation to important destinations in Stoughton and within a 40 mile radius of Stoughton. The Affordable Transportation Program attempts to fill the transportation gap that currently exists because there are no affordable public transportation options available for residents of the Stoughton School District who need transportation within Stoughton, to Madison or to nearby towns and cities. Funds secured for program purposes will be expended over a period of 12 months for payment of liability and workers compensation insurance premiums, purchase of covid sanitation and protection equipment, increased volunteer driver mileage reimbursements and appreciation bonus payments, compensation of an assistant transportation coordinator, operational supplies and the administrative costs associated with publication of the quarterly newsletter and informational literature. 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 persons in the city of Stoughton. The need for transportation services in Stoughton has increased due to an influx of immigrants from the Ukraine and South America into the Stoughton School District. As a result, the Affordable Transportation Program is increasing the number of volunteer drivers employed in providing transportation services. In addition, premium costs for liability and workers compensation have increased and federal funding through CDBG grants for the program have decreased over time, decreasing the level of sustainable income received by the Affordable Transportation Program. |
| The 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 residents of the Stoughton School District whose family income is at or below 140% of the federal poverty guidelines. Volunteer drivers provide rides with their own 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 volunteer coordinator schedules client rides, recruits volunteer drivers, and manages the operations of the Program, assisted by an assistant coordinator. Volunteer drivers are reimbursed for their mileage to and from the destination of the trip and receive a quarterly incentive payment as a means of appreciation 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 significant related encounters. 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, Personal Essentials Pantry, and local churches. In the Fall of 2020, to provide safe transportation during the Covid-19 pandemic, the Stoughton Affordable Transportation program began providing personal protective equipment and sanitation supplies to its drivers and masks for its clients to wear during trips. Covid-19 safety measures continue to be practiced for all trips. Volunteer drivers will provide an estimated 200 round trip rides to assist an estimated 60 families or individuals in 2023. Also, volunteer drivers will drive in excess of 5,000 miles and over 1100 volunteer hours during 2023 to assist clients. Important program goals are to provide 100% accident free rides to clients and to expand service provision to persons of need who do not meet federal poverty guideline criteria. |
|
