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Stoughton transportation nonprofit says it provided about 500 rides in 2025, seeks volunteer drivers
Summary
Sharon Mason Borsma and transportation facilitator Bill Ayers told the Stoughton City Council the Stoughton Affordable Transportation Program provided roughly 500 rides in 2025, serves riders within a 15-mile radius, is funded by Dane County CDBG and community support, and needs volunteer drivers to meet growing demand.
Sharon Mason Borsma, president of the Stoughton Affordable Transportation Program, told the City Council on May 26 that the nonprofit provided about 500 rides in 2025 and is asking for broader community awareness and more volunteer drivers.
The program, formed from Stoughton United Ministries work and renamed the Stoughton Affordable Transportation Program (ATP) in 2019, is funded by Dane County’s Community Development Block Grant program and other community grants, business contributions, churches and small rider donations, Borsma said. ‘‘We give about well, last in 2025, last year, we gave 500 rides, to people in need,’’ she said.
Bill Ayers, ATP’s transportation facilitator, said the program has registered about 60 new riders so far this year and typically serves predominantly elderly, low-income people with mobility limitations. Drivers use their own vehicles and receive mileage reimbursement and a quarterly stipend; many drivers are retirees who volunteer to help neighbors. ‘‘Our drivers…are the heroes of this program,’’ Ayers said.
Borsma said ATP serves riders within a roughly 15-mile radius of the Stoughton School District and focuses on ‘‘significant rides’’ such as medical appointments, court appearances and trips to regional hospitals. The program does not operate a wheelchair-accessible van; drivers use personal vehicles, and ATP vets drivers with background checks and insurance verifications before assigning rides.
Council members asked how ATP differs from RSVP and other senior transportation; Borsma said RSVP serves those 60 and older and is limited to medical trips, whereas ATP serves anyone 18 and older and offers a broader set of trip purposes. Borsma said the program is free and depends on recruiting more drivers to keep up with demand.
City officials and councilors expressed appreciation for the service and did not object to the request for outreach. Borsma said she had distributed informational pamphlets to council members and the mayor to help promote driver recruitment.
The council did not take formal action on the presentation; ATP leaders said they will continue outreach and fundraising efforts.
