Non-Emergency Transportation For Vulnerable Populations

Answer: It is well known that transportation is an on-going problem for seniors, the differently abled, low income and veterans who do not own their own vehicles or are unable to drive. Without dependable transportation, important appointments are missed and those able to work cannot work. In 2018, TPP was imagined by a group of social service professionals collaborating with local legislators to fill a gap in the regional transportation model. We have been fully operational since 2019.

The mission of TPP is to provide essential non-emergency transportation options to vulnerable populations in the Greater Plymouth area. TPP is a viable option to consider when family and friends, public transportation, agency vans, and other forms of transportation are not available. Our decision to partner with the Lyft rideshare company was based on its record of dependability, economy, and safety.

Answer: Agencies that we work with are non-profit, 501(c)(3) entities. Their mission is to assist those in need. They may have other transportation arrangements available to their clients in the way of public transportation, company vans or volunteer vehicles, but when these options are not available, TPP is the reliable option.

TPP agency partners agree to contribute funding to TPP for the purpose of ride share costs. TPP agrees to do its best to match the contributed funding to double the number of rides on the Lyft rideshare platform.

NOTE: At this time, we are not able to work directly with families or individuals not affiliated with one of our agency partners.

Answer: TPP and Lyft have agreed to make rides available managed by our agency partners.

• Each agency is responsible for scheduling its own rides using the Lyft Concierge desktop software platform. The agency may choose to schedule a ride immediately or plan for a future need within 30 days.
• The Lyft driver is responsible for taking the rider(s) from the designated point of origin to the designated point of destination by the fastest and most economical route possible.
• Riders are not responsible for paying for the ride at the point of service.
• Each agency must maintain a Rider Log with all pertinent rider information (HIPAA compliance is respected) and submit to TPP monthly.
• TPP is responsible for paying Lyft.
• Please NOTE:  Riders must be 18 years of age or older if they ride alone. Riders under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

Answer: Through grants awarded to TPP from federal, state and local sources and donations, TPP will match a portion of every ride to offset the total cost to the agency partner. This matching rate is determined by the TPP Executive Director and the Board of Directors once a year. Historically, the match always met a minimum of 50% of ride cost. In other words, TPP matches the same amount contributed by the agency partner – donate $1,000, receive an additional $1,000 credit in the agency account.

Answer: TPP does not currently have the capability through Lyft to offer wheelchair-assisted vehicles. We do have the ability to refer our clients to other sources of WAV-capability when requested.