Only six months after launching its ITNGreaterMercer transportation service for seniors and the visually impaired, the Greater Mercer Transportation Management Association (TMA) has split with ITNAmerica, the only national non-profit transportation network that provides a model for volunteer-based senior transit programs.
TMA, which oversees and manages several ridesharing, carpooling, and transportation services throughout the county, including Princeton University's P-Rides jitney system, opted for a more local arrangement, and cited logistical obstacles with ITNAmerica in fine tuning the national program with local infrastructure and resources.
Instead, GMTMA will go it alone, by way of the Greater Mercer Ride Provide, which will effectively provide the same service, but not as a subsidiary of the national program. While underlying financial differences appear to be at least partly behind the break-up of the two organizations, both are taking the positive outlook, particularly TMA, which will continue its program under the aegis of Greater Mercer Ride Provide.
Sandra Brillhart, TMA executive director, said the program was vital to the area, and that it could be better served through local resources. "After considerable discussion, we felt that a locally developed and supported program best enables us to do that."
She also estimated that since being launched in October with its "First Ride Day," the former ITNGreaterMercer has given upwards of 1,000 rides.
The Ride Provide program, Ms. Brillhart said, will continue to use volunteers to transport customers in private automobiles. All passengers must be members of the Greater Mercer Ride Provide service with an annual membership fee of $35 for individuals and $50 for families. Ride Provide fares are based on a zone system, ranging from $6 to $15 per one-way ride with members receiving discounts by sharing rides with others.
The remaining service costs are the same, Ms. Brillhart said, with rides beginning with a $3 pickup charge with an additional $1 cost for rides given after 6 p.m. if booked the day before. Same-day bookings include an additional $2 cost for rides after 6 p.m. Pickup charges for rides between midnight and 5 a.m. cost $7, though there is an incentive to carpool, as charges are only incurred per ride, not per rider.
TMA had reportedly been under an annual agreement, paying in the $25,000 range to have ITNAmerica handle the program on a yearly basis.
ITN, the former national provider, launched its first program 10 years ago in Portland, Maine, but has only recently begun to branch out. ITNGreaterMercer was the first expansion, with three other communities, Charleston, S.C., Orlando, Fla., and Santa Monica, Calif., slated to launch similar programs this fall, all teaming up with local transportation management companies in their areas.
President of ITNAmerica Katherine Freund said through a statement issued on the organization's Web site that she was "grateful for the education this partnership provided."
Greater Mercer Ride Provide is actively recruiting volunteers. For more information, or to volunteer or become a member, call (609) 452-1491.