Riders FAQ
To qualify for Wilson Rides (WR), Riders must be 55+, reside in Wilson County and are limited in their driving or no longer driving. Those applying to be future Riders must be able to transfer in and out of a vehicle with limited assistance.
Future Riders will need to become members of Wilson Rides as well as complete an application, agree to the Rider Code of Conduct and successfully complete a short in person evaluation to ensure program eligibility.
There is a $25 Annual Membership fee + a $24.00 prepaid rides fee. Total fee due upon home visit is $49.00. Once accepted into the program, this fee will cover the first annual membership fee as well as (4) four prepaid, round-trip rides. After the initial payment, rides are $3.00 one way and $6.oo round trip. No tips nor payments will be accepted by volunteer drivers. All subsequent payments will be made to the Wilson rides Office. Grants are available for those applicants who are unable to pay the full fee.
Members may request rides to any destination in Wilson County. Rides may be utilized for trips to medical appointments, the bank, the pharmacy, the senior center, the grocery store, the post office, etc.
Members are currently able to request up to two round trips per week/per Rider. All rides are subject to volunteer driver availability. Each round trip can have a maximum of 2 stops and should be completed in 3 hours or less.
No. Because rides are provided by Volunteer Drivers, ride requests should be made at least 7 days in advance.
Wilson Rides Inc. will begin giving rides in May of 2021. Rides are currently available Monday – Friday between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Rides must be completed between these hours. Rides must also be requested at least 7 days in advance.
Yes. Each round trip can only have a maximum of 2 stops and must be completed in 3 hours or less. If you plan to be out and about more than three hours, just let Wilson Rides know at the time the reservation is made and WR can assign two different Volunteer Drivers for each leg of the trip.
Riders may use a transport chair, walker, rollator or portable oxygen tank. Use of this equipment should be noted at the time of ride scheduling, to ensure Volunteer Drivers have space in their care. Riders MUST be able to transfer into and out of the vehicle with limited assistance.
Wilson Rides will make every effort to find a Volunteer Driver. However, there is no guarantee that each ride will be filled. Riders will be notified 24 hours before the ride request if a Volunteer Driver has not been found. Wilson Rides will make every effort to make sure you are able to take your scheduled ride.
Riders must pay an annual membership fee of $25.00 and $6.00 for each round trip ride. All trips must be pre-paid to Wilson Rides prior to scheduling a ride. Riders can pay by check or credit card. Riders who are not able to pay the full fee should call the Wilson Rides office to discuss this matter further. NO financial transactions will be exchanged between the Rider and the Volunteer Driver. DO NOT MAIL CASH!
Volunteer Drivers are unable to take payment of any kind. If you’d like to give back, please consider making a tax-deductible donation to Wilson Rides to support this service for other riders. Call the office at 615-622-5557 if you need assistance or make a donation here.
Wilson Rides Volunteer Drivers will be wearing a Wilson Rides identification badge. Your volunteer driver will call in advance of the scheduled trip to confirm time and logistics. Each Volunteer Driver will also have a picture on the Assisted Rides website that you schedule your rides so you can match a face with a name.
Drivers FAQ
Volunteer Drivers must bee 21+ years of age, must have 5 years of driving experience, complete Wilson Rides orientation and training, provide proof of a valid driver’s license and vehicle insurance, have use of a vehicle, and successfully complete driving and criminal background checks.
Wilson Rides ask Volunteer Drivers to commit to at least (2) two rides per month (exceptions are made for Volunteer Drivers who are away from their home for an extended period of time). Round-trip rides should be completed in three hours or less with a maximum of two destinations.
Affordable, assisted (‘door-through-door’ or ‘door-to-door’) transportation is one of the biggest unmet needs for seniors in our community. Our Volunteer Drivers contribute to solving mobility problems for older adults and have the satisfaction of helping our seniors stay connected to the community. It’s easy to select ride assignments online at a time that fits your schedule.
Complete a Volunteer Driver Interest Form or call our office at (615) 622-5557 or email [email protected] to find out about upcoming Volunteer Driving training opportunities.
Volunteer Drivers self-assign themselves to rides using the Wilson Rides Assisted Ride web-based software program.
Rides are offered Monday through Friday between 9:00 am and 4:00 pm.
The auto insurance carried by the Volunteer Driver is always primary. Wilson Rides has purchased additional insurance policies to protect Volunteer Drivers including excess accident medical, excess liability, and excess auto liability insurance. Additionally, Volunteer Drivers in the state of Tennessee are protected by the Protection of Volunteer-Insured Drivers of the Elderly (PROVIDE) Act, which specifically limits the liability of Volunteer Drivers in nonprofit ride programs. The federal Volunteer Protection Act of 1997 provides Volunteer Drivers immunity when assisting a person in walking to/from vehicles.
