Rides to Wellness

The Community Foundation for Mason County is proud to partner with Ludington Mass Transportation Authority (LMTA) and Michigan Transportation Connection (MTC) to establish Rides to Wellness, a pilot program that provides transportation for residents of Mason County age 60 years and older and residents with disabilities to non-emergency medical appointments. The program is fostered through a $5,000 grant provided by the Community Foundation for Mason County as well as Federal Grant funds provided by Michigan Transportation Connection.

The Michigan Transportation Connection, based in East Lansing, will be working with LMTA to determine program eligibility and coordinate transportation for those residents looking to gain access to the program. MTC is a statewide nonprofit that coordinates trips for disabled citizens in many parts of the state, including the Upper Peninsula, parts of northern lower Michigan, mid-Michigan, south central Michigan, and the Thumb region. MTC has been in operation since 2014 and has been recognized nationally for its work in arranging transportation for medical purposes for people who otherwise have no available means of accessing their appointments.

Due to grant funding structures, transportation is only available through Rides to Wellness through local partners. Current partners in Mason County include Spectrum Health, Disability Network West Michigan, Ludington Senior Center, HELP Ministries, and United Way of Mason County. Transportation services will be available Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. through 5:00 p.m. If you are interested in becoming a program partner to allow area patients ease of access to your services, please contact Rochelle Cotey with the Michigan Transportation Connection at rochellecotey@gmail.com or 906-202-1907.

To learn more about patient ride eligibility through Rides to Wellness, please call the Michigan Transportation Connection at 1-844-532-7433 (press 1) or email mtctransit@gmail.com.