Overcoming transportation barriers: rideshare shows potential to be part of the rural solution

Transportation, more specifically the lack of it, can be a significant barrier to employment, especially in Greater Minnesota. To overcome this barrier, one Kandiyohi County-serving organization is taking an innovative step. With a generous grant from the Willmar Area Community Foundation, Mid-Minnesota Development Commission (MMDC) is piloting the Rideshare Support Program.

Through this program, two recruited rideshare drivers, primarily operating under Uber, though one also operates under the Lyft platform, receive a tapered weekly subsidy to support their operations. In exchange, these drivers, one of whom is fluent in both English and Spanish, must be “on duty” and provide rides at least 30 hours each week, after 2 p.m. on weekdays or anytime during weekends and holidays. While the drivers may also operate during other hours, the intent is to provide transportation-disadvantaged individuals – aging individuals, people with disabilities, and other nondrivers – with an option for getting around when the local public transit bus isn’t a viable option. In addition to helping people to get to medical appointments, run errands, and get around for leisure activities, MMDC believes rideshare has real potential to help workers and jobseekers with temporary or long-term transportation needs.

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