My Ride Connection

Dear Friend,

Thank you for your interest in Circle of Care, St. Louis's My Ride Connection program. The program provides reasonably priced, reliable supplemental transportation for residents 60 and older and adults with disabilities (18-59) utilizing community volunteers and resources. Residents must live in St. Louis City, St. Louis County, or St. Charles County.

Attached is a registration packet with a Passenger Information Sheet, Waiver Form, Registration Form, and an Agreement Checklist. These forms must be completed and returned to Circle of Care, St. Louis, with your Registration Fee. 

Once your registration is accepted, you will receive a call letting you know you may begin to schedule rides, and a welcome package will be mailed to you.

While every effort is made to find a volunteer driver, there is no guarantee that a driver will be found, so passengers should also consider having a backup transportation plan.

We look forward to serving you on behalf of our Board of Directors, staff, and volunteers.

Sincerely,

Yolanda Holton, MA, CNP Chief Executive Office

                      Fee Schedule                                        

One-Way Mileage	Roundtrip Fee
Under 3 miles	$8.00
3 – 4.99 miles	$10.00
5 – 6.99	$12.00
7 – 9.99 miles	$16.00
10 – 14.99 miles	$22.00
15 – 19.99 miles	$28.00
20 – 35 miles	$36.00

Questions and Answers

Who is eligible to use My Ride Connection (MRC)?                                                   Passengers must be 60 years of age or 18-59 with a disability, be a resident of St. Louis City, County, or St. Charles, and be able to get in and out of a vehicle independently. Proof of residency, age and disability is required.

How does this service work?
Passengers are transported door to door by volunteer drivers in their personal vehicles. For liability reasons, drivers may not accompany passengers into their homes. Passengers must be physically and cognitively able to conduct their own personal business once they are at their destination.

Covid 19 Safety Requirements
Drivers and passengers are required to wear masks. Passengers must sit in the back seat and windows will be cracked, weather permitting. Both passengers and drivers will be asked to cancel rides if they have tested positive for Covid or been in contact with someone who has tested positive for Covid.

If a spouse, friend or assistant accompanies me, is there an additional fee?
There are no additional fees for anyone traveling from the same location to the same destination. Note: A Passenger Waiver form for each additional passenger must be on file in the office before the ride can be scheduled. We cannot transport anyone under 8 years of age.

What types of rides can I use My Ride Connection (MRC)?
Passengers may utilize MRC for medical appointments, grocery and pharmacy shopping, barber/hair salons, banking, and other essential rides. They are eligible for a maximum of (2) two rides per month.

When are rides available?

MRC provides rides daily, depending on the availability of volunteer drivers. Please note the office is closed on all major holidays and the ride request schedule is adjusted accordingly.

Will MRC provide transportation to destinations outside of St. Louis?
Yes. Our maximum one-way driving distance is 35 miles from pick-up. Please schedule longer distance and rush hour as early as possible as there are fewer drivers for these rides.

When can I schedule my first ride?

Passengers can plan their first ride once they submit their paperwork and fees and receive a phone call informing them their submitted paperwork has been completed and their account has been established.

What if I only need a one-way ride?

MRC accommodates one-way ride requests. The fare is the same as for a round-trip ride. Trips to bus or metro stations are one-way take only.     

How do I schedule a ride?

Passengers must contact My Ride Connection at 314-873-3501 ext. 1 at least three (3) full business days in advance to schedule trip(s). For example, if you need a ride on Friday, you must call Monday before 2:00 pm to schedule. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.

Messages left on the answering machine after 5:00 p.m. and on weekends are returned the next business day. Passengers must provide the pick-up time, appointment time, number of passengers, destination address, zip code, telephone #, and estimated return trip time. Medical appointments require the doctor’s name, group practice name, and phone number. For appointments at hospitals or clinics, passengers also need to provide a department.

What information is required before using MRC?

Passengers must complete a Passenger Registration, Waiver, and Agreement form and create a transportation account by sending in $45 ($20 is a non-refundable registration fee, and $25 is deposited in your transportation account).

 

How do I pay the trip fees?                                                                                              Passengers are required to pre-pay for rides. Checks or money orders (no cash) should be made payable to Circle of Care, St. Louis, and mailed to 423 Chez Paree Drive, Hazelwood, MO 63042. Note the passenger’s name on the check. Drivers are prohibited from taking payments.  

Credit card payments can be made to individual passenger accounts via by calling our office at (314) 873-3501. To offset the cost of accepting credit card payments, modest convenience fees are added to online payments.

What if I am running late or want to make an unscheduled stop?                                      Drivers are not permitted to make unscheduled stops. One additional stop of less than one hour between the pickup and destination can be scheduled when the ride is requested. Drivers may be scheduled for multiple rides, so passengers must meet them at the prearranged time and place for pick-up and return. Medical appointments vary; try to estimate the longest possible visit time.

What happens if no driver is found?               

While every effort is made to find a volunteer driver, there is no guarantee that each ride will be filled. If a driver has not been found, passengers will be called 2 business days before the ride to see if the ride is still needed. Passengers will not be charged for unassigned rides.                                                                           

What if I need to cancel a scheduled trip? 

Please cancel as early as possible so the driver can be notified. Passengers are not charged for canceled trips. Please note: Repeated cancellations or no-shows inconvenience our drivers and impact our ability to serve our passengers. Repeated cancellations or no-shows may result in a suspension or termination of service per our Excessive Cancellation/No-Show Policy.     

How are the volunteer drivers chosen?

Each driver has attended orientation and passed a criminal background check, a driving record check, and a personal reference check.

When should I use the after-hours line?                                                        

When the MRC office is closed, leave a message on the after-hours line only for the following circumstances:

• If you need to cancel a ride scheduled within the next 12 hours or over the weekend.
• If your driver did not contact you the night before your scheduled ride. 

What is MRC’s inclement weather policy?

Your Safety is our Priority! Rides may need to be canceled in inclement weather conditions for everyone's safety. Please get in touch with our Circle of Care St. Louis office for any such updates. We're dedicated to keeping you informed and safe, no matter the weather!

How will I be able to identify my MRC drivers? All Drivers will have a volunteer’s name badge.

Other Policies:

• Smoking, eating & drinking during a ride are prohibited.
• It is against Circle of Care, St. Louis's policy for our volunteers to accept tips.
• Passengers are expected to pay for tolls and parking on the day of the ride.

How can I comment on my experience with MRC?             

Survey postcards are mailed to passengers after their first ride and every six months thereafter. We appreciate your comments.

May I donate to MRC to help ensure services will always be available?

Absolutely! We gratefully accept tax-deductible donations via check or through our website (neighborride.org). You may also consider a Legacy Gift. Contact our Chief Executive Officer at 314-873-3501 for more information.

I acknowledge that I'm at least 60 years of age, or between 18-59 with a disability, and a resident of St. Louis City, County or St. Charles County.

I am physically able to get in and out of a vehicle independently, without the need for a wheelchair. I understand that walkers, rollators, and canes can be used for assistance.

I confirm that I'm physically and cognitively capable to conduct my own affairs at my destination unless accompanied by a family member, friend, or aide who has a signed waiver on file at the office.

I will make ride requests three full business days ahead of the desired date and provide requisite details like name, address, phone number, and timings.

Should a Volunteer Driver not be assigned two days before the ride, I understand I will receive a courtesy call and that a driver's availability is not always guaranteed.

I will expect a call from my assigned driver by 8 PM the night before the ride. If this does not happen, I will notify the My Ride Connection office on their emergency line.

I am aware that I will need to submit $45 with my registration, out of which $20 is a non-refundable fee and the remaining $25 will be used for my future rides.

I am aware that payments must be made in advance, with the possible provision for subsidized rides if I qualify.

I confirm that I will sit at the backseat, wear a mask, and keep the window slightly open during the ride, weather permitting.

By signing below, I affirm that I satisfy the above criteria and consent to abide by the aforementioned terms and conditions as a passenger of My Ride Connection.

By affixing my name below as a digital signature, I unequivocally confirm that I am in complete understanding and agreement with all the potential risks associated with availing the transportation services offered by the Circle of Care, St. Louis's My Ride Connection program.

I willingly waive all claims rooted in any consequential situations that arise directly or indirectly, including those out of negligence, contract breach, or any other circumstance leading to personal injury, property damage, or any form of loss.

I discharge Circle of Care, St. Louis and its My Ride Connection program, inclusive of all successors, directors, officers, volunteers, employees, and agents, from any liability associated with these waived claims.

I fully comprehend that, in case of a medical emergency during transit, the driver will resort to dialing 911 and adhere to the instructions provided. Circle of Care, St. Louis office can provide further information on emergency procedures and protocols on request.

Furthermore, I agree to the Terms & Conditions regarding my prepaid account with My Ride Connection. I acknowledge that any funds left untouched in my account for a period of six months, despite substantive attempts to reach out, will be automatically forfeited and become the sole property of My Ride Connection.

With the act of supplying my digital signature below, I am granting my full and unequivocal consent to each of the terms as mentioned above.

By affirming my digital signature below, I confirm my understanding and acceptance of all inherent risks involved with utilizing the transportation services of Circle of Care, St. Louis's My Ride Connection program. I hereby relinquish any claims that may arise, whether directly or indirectly, from incidents that occur during the use of such transport services, due to negligence, breach of contract, or other causes. This waiver includes all claims related to personal injury, property damage, or other losses.

 I also agree to discharge and hold harmless Circle of Care, St. Louis, its My Ride Connection program, and their respective successors, officers, directors, agents, volunteers, employees and related parties from any liabilities, losses, costs, or expenses linked to these waived claims.

 In the event of a medical emergency during a ride, I comprehend that the driver is instructed to contact 911 and follow the guidance provided. Information on emergency procedures and protocols can be requested from the Circle of Care, St. Louis office.

I acknowledge that should my prepaid account with My Ride Connection remain inactive for six months despite attempts to contact me, all remaining funds will be forfeited and will subsequently become the exclusive property of My Ride Connection.