Transportation Assistance

Dane County supports a variety of transportation programs to help residents get to important medical appointments, shopping trips and other needed trips, helping people live independently in their own homes.  The following describes the programs supported by Dane County and contact information for those programs.   

One-Call Transportation Information Line:  (608) 242-6489
Anyone may call the Transportation Information Line for detailed information, referrals to programs or providers, eligibility determination, ride authorization, or other services.  Information on all available transportation resources is provided, including both county-funded and other programs.  There is no charge.   Available to anyone seeking information about transportation services in Dane County. 

Group Access Service (GAS)

Madison/Middleton/Monona adults aged 60 and over who live in their own homes or apartments receive rides to nutrition sites, grocery/general shopping, farmers’ markets, pharmacies and libraries.  Medical trips are not provided.  The fare is $0.50/one-way trip for nutrition and $1.00/one-way for shopping, but no one is denied service to meal sites because of inability to pay.  The service is door-to-door, and vehicles are accessible.  This is a routed, group service.  Routes are neighborhood-based, and cover the Madison Metro service area and Monona.  For information:  (608) 242-6489.

Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) Driver Escort Service

Adults aged 60 and over receive rides to medical appointments and other needed services.  Donations are accepted but no one is denied service because of an inability to pay.  The service is door-to-door, and drivers will assist passengers in getting to the correct location within the clinic or hospital.  Rides are provided in the volunteers’ own cars and are usually not accessible.  These are individual, not routed group rides.  Service is coordinated through RSVP.  Service area is all of Dane County.  For information:  (608) 238-7787.

Veteran’s Transportation

• DryHootch Veterans Transport:  Veterans with any discharge and/or disability status receive rides to needed appointments and services.  Fares for routed services are $1.00/ride; co-pay of individual rides is based on ability to pay, but no-one is denied service based in inability to pay.  The service has scheduled stops, but individuals may receive door-to-door service, based on need.  Vehicles are accessible.  Rides are scheduled through the DryHootch of America Madison office.  Service area is Dane County and surrounding communities.  For information:  (608) 242-6489.
• Ride With Pride: Veterans with VA disability status or have a needs-based VA pension receive a Metro Transit Commute Card (a bus pass).  There is no co-pay.  Service is curb-to-curb.  Metro mainline buses are accessible, but this is not a paratransit pass.  Service is accessed through the County Veterans Service Office.  For information:  (608) 266-4158.
• Vets Helping Vets:  Veterans with any discharge and/or disability status receive rides to needed appointments and services.  Donations are accepted but no one is denied service because of an inability to pay.  The service is door-to-door, and drivers will assist passengers in getting to the correct location within the clinic or hospital.  Rides are provided in the volunteers’ own cars and are usually not accessible.  These are individual, not routed group rides.  Service is coordinated through RSVP.  Service area is all of Dane County.  (This program is not currently funded by Dane County, but listed here for clarity).  For information:  (608) 238-7787.

Caregiver Transportation Assistance
Persons caring for older adults receive rides to services such as support groups, workshops, or counseling, which enhance their ability to continue to provide care.  Rides are approved through Dane County Department of Human Services.  Service area is all of Dane County.  For information:  (608) 242-6489.

Supplemental Medical Transportation Assistance

Persons with medical treatments which are frequent or of long duration, or distant from the patient’s home, receive assistance with transportation costs not covered by Medical Assistance.  Passenger co-pay is based on ability to pay.  Accessibility is based on passenger need.  Eligibility is determined by Dane County Department of Human Services, and transportation and reimbursement are arranged through the Department or area dialysis units.   For information:  (608) 242-6489.

STS

Persons with developmental or mental health disabilities receive rides to specified vocational centers and work places.  There is currently no donation, fare, or passenger co-pay.  The service is door-to-door, and vehicles are accessible.  This is a routed, group service.  Service is coordinated through case managers or service brokers.  Service area is all of Dane County.  For information, call your case manager or service broker.

Mobility Training Program

Eligible passengers of ADA complementary paratransit or other specialized transportation services receive training to permit them to use mainline transit.  Training is provided by Certified Occupational Therapists.  There is no fare during training, and if upon graduation, the rider migrates a sufficient number of trips from paratransit to fixed-route services, Metro Transit will provide a free commuter bus pass.  Service is coordinated through the Transportation Information Line.  Service area is Metro Transit’s paratransit area.  For information:  (608) 242-6489.

Bus Buddy Program

Persons unfamiliar with Metro Transit routes, shared-ride taxi transit programs, or county-funded group ride programs are assigned a Bus Buddy for route familiarization and other support while learning to use the service.  There is no fare while participating in the program.  Service is coordinated through the Transportation Information Line.  Service area is all of Dane County.  For information:  (608) 242-6489.

Non-County Programs to Which Dane County Contributes Funding Support:

Metro+Plus

Eligible passengers receive rides to destinations within the Madison Metro Service area.  Eligibility is determined by Metro Transit.  The passenger fare is $2.00/one-way trip; however persons eligible for Community Options/Integration waiver programs are not required to pay fares.  The service is door-to-door, and vehicles are accessible.  These are individual, not routed group rides.  Service is coordinated through Metro Transit.  For information:  (608) 266-4466.

YWCA Transportation Services

• Employment Transportation:  Rides to employment for low-income persons without other transportation options.  Rides are arranged and provided by the YWCA of Dane County.  The service is door-to-door, and serves most of Dane County, but prospective riders in rural areas must have two co-riders to a similar destination, and make a three-month commitment.  For information:  (608) 316-6888.
•  Safe nighttime rides are provided to women and children at risk for sexual assault, and to second- and third-shift workers without access to safe transportation.  Rides are free, and are provided by volunteers in agency vehicles.  Daytime rides to approved employment-related activities, food pantries, human service appointments, etc., are provided to eligible men and women.  Rides are arranged and provided by the YWCA of Dane County.  The service is door-to-door, and serves most of Dane County.  For information:  (608) 316-6888.