Where/whom do riders call to arrange for a ride?

 

Dial the K.A.F.A.S.I office between 8:00 AM and 4:30 PM from Monday to Friday. Calls after the office hours will be recorded into our voice mail and responded to as soon as possible the following work day.  The number is 842-7433. This number allows you to bypass the office call system and directly to the extension. If that line is busy and this is an emergency you may call 658-0237 and ask the receptionist for extension 119 or for Volunteer Escort or leave a message with her.

 

Are there any other rules riders should know concerning the program.

Most are just common sense and courtesy things.

 

1.     Please be courteous to the driver- they are volunteers and everyone likes to be appreciated. Any complaints can be directed to the office.

2.     Give the office at least a 48-hour notice of an appointment. Each ride request initiates between three and fifteen calls to find a “match” (someone who is available and willing to transport the rider.)

3.     Do not call the driver directly for your next ride. We don’t have enough drivers to provide personal chauffeurs – we are booking around 400 rides each month.

4.     If something is lost or forgotten in the volunteer’s vehicle, call the office and we can make arrangements for someone to return your lost possession.

5.     Please notify the office immediately of any appointment cancellations. Volunteers are very busy people. It is most frustrating to the volunteer to reserve time for you, and then drive over for a non-existent trip.

6.     Two stops are included in the trip fare. (i.e., A doctor’ office appointment and a pharmacy to pick up meds.) Additional stops will be charged at $1 per extra stop, and the office should be informed in advance in order to prepare the driver for a longer than expected trip time.

 

If this is a volunteer program why do riders have to pay a fare?

 

The volunteers are paid a reimbursement for gasoline and car expense of thirty-five cents a mile. The collected fares are used to help pay for this reimbursement.

 

How/when do riders pay for a ride?

The fare is due at the completion of service unless:

1.     The rider is going on a medical trip and has a Forward Card for Title 19 Wisconsin State medical insurance. Write the number on your daily trip sheet in case we don’t have it on file. We then bill the State for the cost.

2.     Various on-going treatment conditions, like Alzheimer’s support therapy, cancer radiation and chemo-therapy, kidney dialysis can be billed by the week or month if arrangements have been made with the office. The driver will be notified of such cases.

3.     Checks should be made out to Kenosha Volunteer Escort Program.

4.     Fare can now be paid with credit cards. After receiving your billing, please contact Lyn Hellesen (K.A.F.A.S.I. fiscal manager) at 658-3508, ext. 102, or use the enclosed receipt form that comes with your billing.

5.     If you should decide to prepay for rides (or have a friend or family member purchase rides for you) the same receipts form and/or phone number may be used to give the necessary numbers and information, or submit with payment checks.

 

What is the purpose (mission) of the program?

To provide transportation by the recruitment and use of volunteers and their personal vehicles for Kenosha County residents who are frail-elderly or disabled and have difficulty using public transportation.

 

Can residents of nearby communities also be transported by this program?

No, the County-based funding limits us to serving those within the Kenosha County boundaries.

 

Can Kenosha County residents be transported outside Kenosha County?

Yes they can. We have transported riders to Racine, Burlington, Milwaukee, Mequon, Zion, Waukegan, Great Lakes, Antioch and even Round Lake Beach.  Some of our longer trips have been to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN, Dekalb , IL, Monroe Clinic, the University Hospital in Madison. These long rides are charged at 32 cents a mile, plus lunch and parking fees for the driver. It depends on whether we can locate a volunteer willing to commit the time to a long trip. (County-approved rate sheets are attached).

 

Can donations be made specifically to help the Volunteer Escort Program?

YES! The same receipt form can be mailed in, or the phone number to our Fiscal Manager (658-3508, ext. 102) can be called, for any donations you would like to make to this program. All contributions will be much appreciated, and are tax deductible.