Dunn County ADRC highlights volunteer medical rides, electric buses and rural pilot routes

Dunn County ADRC staff told the advisory council that volunteer drivers and coordination with Transdev have kept medical-appointment rides running smoothly and that the program has added two smaller, handicap-accessible electric buses.

Bernie Allen said the county has “a real robust group of volunteer drivers” who help residents get to medical appointments, including multi-appointment runs and early-morning pickups when necessary. County transit staff coordinate volunteers and the veterans office to match drivers with riders.

Committee members noted that volunteer drivers sometimes provide transportation to destinations outside Dunn County — for example, to Rochester or to VA appointments in Minneapolis — but committee members and staff clarified that these rides are provided by volunteers using their personal vehicles and not by Dunn County transit buses. Eligibility for volunteer medical rides is limited to older adults or adults with disabilities and requires a brief screening to confirm qualification.

Supervisor Steve and other members described a pilot to introduce rural routes by rotating coverage across county quadrants. A member also noted two newly introduced electric buses that are handicap accessible but have lower passenger capacity than standard vehicles.

Allen said the pilot is funded in part with ADRC money and that outreach (newsletter and fair booths) is planned to boost awareness of rural routing and volunteer-ride options. No new policy or budget vote was taken at the meeting; staff will continue to report on pilot progress and outreach efforts.

Quotes used in this report were provided directly by ADRC staff and committee members during the Jan. 15 meeting.