Transportation

Contact Phone Number: 860-441-6785

Thrive 55+ provides a CURB TO CURB service.

All individuals using transportation must complete a Transportation Form available at the front desk.

Drivers will NOT take cash.

Thrive 55+ does NOT transport from skilled care centers.

Making a reservation for transportation:
* Call 860-441-6785 before 3pm for making next day reservation–no requests after 3 pm
* You can book for rides to center, to medical, shopping and bank run at that time.
* Rides to Thrive 55+ are on 8:00, 9:00 or 10:00 am runs and 1:00 or 3:00pm.
* When at the center, ask for the monthly transportation form and you can book all rides for the month at one time.

The center provides a curb to curb service.  All individuals using transportation must complete a Transportation Form available at the front desk.

• Service animals accompanying passengers will be allowed.
• Portable O2 and respirators may be used on all vehicles.
• If stairs are difficult, please know you have the option to use the lift.
• Take your time boarding for safety.

Please be aware that the center does not aid to and from the vehicle.

Thrive 55+ reserves the right to decline transportation services based on their current guidelines for independent transportation.

Agency’s ADA formal policy or informal procedure regarding:

1.Service animals on board the vehicle

Only service animals accompanying applicable passengers will be allowed in vehicles. No other animals are allowed.

2.Passengers traveling with respirators or portable oxygen

Riders using respirators or portable oxygen are fully permitted to use the Thrive55+ transportation service.

3. Passengers without a mobility device that wish to use the lift to board the vehicle

Passengers requesting to use the lift on a Thrive55+ vehicle will be allowed to board using the lift.

4. Adequate boarding time for passengers

Passengers are asked to be ready 15 minutes before the vehicle shows up to transport them.  The drivers will make every effort to contact passengers if they do not come out at the time they arrive. Any passenger needing assistance can bring an additional person to assist them with transportation.

Grocery Shopping – Wednesdays 
8-8:30am or 12-12:30 pm pick up
* 1st and 4th Wednesday – Stop & Shop
* 2nd Wednesday – Big Y
* 3rd Wednesday – Shop Rite
* 5th Wednesday – Big Y
Limit groceries to 2 bags or what you can carry on own.

Department Store Shopping – MONDAYS
12pm pick up
Leave store at 3:30pm
* 1st and 5th Monday – Walmart & Kohl’s
* 2nd Monday – Target
* 3rd Monday – Christmas Tree Shop & Crystal Mall
* 4th Monday – Super Walmart, Waterford

Bank Trips

Friday mornings you can book for a trip to your bank.

Call when calendar comes out for the next month, or as soon as possible during the month of your appointment. We can book only ONE appointment PER DAY for you.
*  Appointments should be made between 9am- 10:30am or 1pm- 3pm.
Groton & Gales Ferry
* Mondays – 9 to 10:30am
* Tuesdays – 1 to 3pm
* Thursdays – 9 to 10:30am
* Fridays – 9 – 10:30am
New London & Waterford
* Mondays 1 to 3pm
* Tuesdays – 9 to 10:30am
* Wednesdays – 1 to 3pm
* Thursdays – 1 to 3pm
* Fridays – 1 to 3pm
Westerly, Stonington, & Mystic
* Wednesdays – 9 to 10:30am
*Note: For medical procedures: Thrive 55+ will transport to procedure only – you will need to get separate ride home.

Call Thrive 55+ for more information.  860-441-6785

PLEASE NOTE:  THIS SERVICE IS CONTINGENT ON AVAILABLE FUNDS.

Who qualifies for this program?

This program is open to individuals who reside in the above listed towns, meet the residency requirement described below:

To utilize the brokered rides portion of the service you must have completed a registration form, and have submitted the annual membership fee payable to your participating senior center or municipality. Individuals residing in: Private Homes; Retirement Living Facilities; Independent Living Facilities; Assisted Living Facilities; and Residential Care Homes are eligible for transportation under this program.

Individuals who reside in Skilled Nursing Facilities are not eligible for transportation through this program.

Individuals who are eligible for free transportation through Medicaid are asked to use that program instead.

If you wish to just access the Caregiver portion of the program you still must complete the registration but do not have to pay the membership fee.

What are the limitations of this program?

For the brokered rides –  rides for are provided for medical appointments in New London County/Westerly, RI.  Rides are contingent upon available funding.

Reservations must be made no later than 48 hours in advance but can be scheduled up to 2 weeks ahead.  Trips can be scheduled during normal business hours.  Requests for weekend & Monday trips must be made no later than Friday by 2 p.m.

Personal Care Attendants (or family member acting as an escort) may accompany passengers who need extra help with entering and exiting the vehicle or have other needs that make traveling independently unsafe.

In order to protect the health of others, passengers must be free from acute illnesses such as flu, fever, vomiting, diarrhea, and infections such as pneumonia.

What information should I have when calling to request a ride?

• Your complete name and address.
• The address of your destination and the physician’s name.
• The date and time of your appointment.

An estimated time that you will be picked up from your appointment to return home.

How does the Caregiver Mileage Reimbursement Program work?

The rider retains a volunteer driver (friend, neighbor, family member).  The driver and rider must complete the “Request for Mileage Reimbursement” form.

Mileage is calculated by ECTC based on the shortest distance to the destination.  The mileage from the caregiver’s home to the passenger going to the medical appointment is NOT included.

Form must include appointment date, start address, destination address, and must be signed and dated by client and driver after last trip has been entered on the form.  Participants submit completed mileage reimbursement forms to their town senior center or town representative by the end of the month for processing.

When the form is submitted, the town representative reviews the form for accuracy and verifies the mailing address of the Caregiver.  Town Representatives may perform audits to verify that the appointments did occur.

The Town Representative will sign and fax form to ECTC. ECTC will issue a check to the Caregiver for authorized trips performed.