Volunteer Medical Transportation Program

Given the rural nature of Ashland County, there is a lack of public transportation.  Therefore, the Ashland County Aging Unit, Inc. provides non-emergent medical transportation to out of county and in–county destinations such as Ashland, Marshfield, Park Falls, and Duluth, MN.  This service is available for elderly people over 60 years old and disabled people of any age who are unable to drive, or do not have the means to transport themselves.  This service is designed to promote and improve the self-sufficiency and human dignity of the target group that is served.

Volunteer drivers are utilized to provide this service.  They use their private vehicles, and none of the volunteers have wheelchair accessible vehicles.  For this service they are reimbursed the current mileage rate for the use of their vehicle and gasoline.

A co-payment of approximately 40% of the total cost of the trip is charged to the client.  Waivers may be available on a case-by-case basis for persons who are economically disadvantaged, persons who are urgently forced to travel because of emergency situations or persons who cannot competently make a co-payment transaction because of their disabilities. 

Volunteer medical transportation is provided on a first come, first serve basis.  If funding runs out before the end of the fiscal year, volunteer medical transportation can be provided if the client is willing to pay the full cost of the trip in advance.

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Specialized Transportation Program

The Ashland County Specialized Transportation service provides a combination of door to door and fixed route transportation for elderly people over 60 and disabled persons who are unable to drive, or do not have the means to transport themselves.  This service is designed to promote and improve the self-sufficiency and human dignity of the target group that is served.  Space allowing, the general public is also permitted to utilize this service.  Priority is given to medical activities, nutritional activities and work-related activities.  Other activities such as personal care, shopping, recreation and personal business are permissible, if the schedule allows.

This service operates an 8 passenger small bus with one wheel chair space.  The vehicle is equipped with a wheel chair lift.  The “White Lightning” bus operates Monday through Friday, from approximately 8:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.  We request at least a 24-hour advance reservation to ensure service.  The bus will pick you up at your home and deliver you to your destination.  When you need to return home, you call the Aging Unit and request a return ride.

If you live in another community such as Marengo, Mellen, Glidden or Butternut, you can make a reservation to ride the bus at the Elderly Nutrition Site in that community, or with the Ashland County Aging Unit.  The bus brings people to Ashland on Tuesday and Friday mornings for appointments, shopping errands, etc.  The bus returns riders back to the southern part of the county in the afternoon. 

A co-payment is charged to the client.  Waivers may be available on a case-by-case basis for persons who are economically disadvantaged, persons who are urgently forced to travel because of emergency situations or persons who cannot competently make a co-payment transaction because of their disabilities.

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Agency Vehicle Rental Program

We have developed an “Agency Vehicle Rental Program”.  Agencies and organizations can rent agency buses for activities that would need to transport people age 60 and older and/or disabled persons.  Both of our buses are equipped with a wheelchair lift but can transport only one (1) person using a wheelchair at a time.  One bus is available during normal working hours and two buses are available for evening and weekend rental.

The cost is $30.00 per day per vehicle plus .36 cents per mile.  The tank is to be filled up before returning the vehicle to us.  You will need to provide the agency with a list of possible drivers who will be screened and trained.  Their names will then be listed on the contract with as registered drivers.  This will eliminate the need to screen and train a driver each time you request use of a bus.

To set up a contract with us for future bus use, call out office at (715) 682-4414, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m.  At least 3 days notice must be given to ensure the availability of the bus and that proper training and paper work can take place.

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