On December 16, AEOA (Arrowhead Economic Opportunity Agency) presented a training session for Rural Rides volunteer drivers at the Lake County Service Center in Silver Bay.
All volunteer drivers from Lake and Cook counties were invited to this annual event, which covered important information about the program, and included a presentation by State Trooper Aaron Churness of the Minnesota State Patrol, the event’s guest speaker. Churness provided an excellent dialogue on defensive driving as well as tips for driver safety for those who face the unique circumstances of driving in the Arrowhead Region.
Rural Rides, which is based on certain income guidelines, is a work-related transportation program which assists qualifying residents of Lake and Cook Counties with rides to and from their jobs. This program can help individuals with rides for job search and training as well.
Rural Rides offers support to its clients in several ways. Arrowhead Transit bus tickets are provided when the route and schedule fit the individual’s needs. Work Buddy Assistance, a rideshare program that offers mileage reimbursement, is another viable option to help with getting to work. Due to the large area that this program covers, Rural Rides relies heavily on a third method of support through its volunteer drivers, who provide rides to others in their community while receiving reimbursement for their mileage.
Although Rural Rides is not a long-term transportation solution, it is a vital short-term support for those facing transportation problems in getting to and from work. In many cases, several weeks of assistance can help an individual overcome the obstacle of getting a vehicle repaired, or finding someone to rideshare with, for example.
For further information on Rural Rides, contact Katy at AEOA at (218) 834-2280 ext 112, 800-223-1850 ext 112, or at katy.keranen@aeoa.org.
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