A recent hearing in the Senate highlighted a new source of transportation for the aging population through a nonprofit transportation system “Independent Transportation Network (ITN) America”.
ITN America relies on volunteers and some paid drivers to transport seniors 60 years and older from their homes to doctor's appointments, grocery stores and social events. Volunteers earn credits to use to pay for rides for members of their family, donate to lower-income seniors or to plan for their own future transit needs. Unlike most existing paratransit services, the program is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Additionally, no money is exchanged in the vehicle, and tips are not accepted. Instead riders pre-fund a personal transportation account, and a monthly statement details all payments and charges.
ITN America President Katherine Freund became involved in senior transportation issues in the late 1980s after an 84-year-old driver ran over her 3-year-old son, injuring him. In 2003, with the help of the Atlantic Philanthropies, she was able to launch ITN America which currently has 25 affiliates in 20 states. Affiliates typically use some government money to get going, but are required to be subsidy-free after five years.
To learn more about ITN America or to check if there is a program in your community, go to: http://itnamerica.org/
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