Catch-a-Ride

An older man happy behind the wheel of a car

Catch-a-Ride (CaR) is a social service program that provides volunteer transportation to medical appointments, food pantries and social service agencies within Johnson County. 

CaR is available for Johnson County residents who are 60+, or have a physical disability, or 18+ who are in a life transition and currently do not drive. 

All CaR participants must complete an application and be accepted into the program before placing a ride request.

Catch-a-Ride Handbook

Before applying for Catch-a-Ride services, please review the Catch-a-Ride handbook (English) or Catch-a-Ride handbook (Spanish).  All Johnson County residents interested in utilizing the Catch-a-Ride volunteer transportation service must complete an application. Please contact the CaR Coordinator for an application. 

Frequent Questions

Where can CaR take me?

Catch-a-Ride volunteer drivers transport Johnson County residents to medical appointments, food pantries and social service agencies such as the Housing Authority, Department for Children & Families Services, Social Security Administration, etc.

Destinations must be in Johnson County. Exceptions are made for some medical appointment destinations (St. Luke's on the Plaza, St. Joseph Medical Center and UMKC Dental School) but are limited based on the availability of volunteer drivers.

All ride requests must be placed with a minimum of five business days advanced notice. 

Riders may request 'up to' ONE ride request per week. Ride requests are not guaranteed to be filled by a volunteer driver. If there are no drivers available, the rider will receive 24 hours notice of the cancelation. 

How much does CaR Cost?

Catch-a-Ride is a donation based program with basic funding provided by Johnson County Government. Donation letters are mailed monthly to those who utilize the program.

The suggested donation is $5 each way ($10 round trip). Riders will not be denied service because they cannot afford to make a donation.

Want to make a donation? You can donate here.

Who are the volunteer drivers?

Volunteer drivers (25 years of age or older) are required to attend an Aging and Human Services General Orientation and a Catch-a-Ride training session.

All volunteer drivers must successfully pass a criminal history background and motor vehicle record check. Additionally, volunteer drivers must have a valid driver’s license and current auto insurance on file.

Do volunteers stay with the rider during appointments?

Volunteer drivers may wait in the lobby during your scheduled appointment and bring you home afterwards or volunteers may drop you off at the destination and return to pick you up at a scheduled time. 

If you know your appointment is longer than an hour, please let the Catch-a-Ride staff know and driver assignments will be made accordingly.

What are rider requirements?

  • CaR riders must be a Johnson County resident in good standing.
  • CaR riders must be 18 years or older. CaR does not transport children.
  • CaR riders must be able to transfer in and out of a motor vehicle. Riders may use a cane, walker or request hand/elbow assistance from the volunteer. 

 

How do I become a Catch-a-Ride rider (participant)?

If you are interested in becoming a Catch-a-Ride rider/participant, you must complete an application and submit it to CaR for approval.

The CaR handbook is available online. Additionally, residents may contact the Catch-a-Ride staff to request an application via email or telephone.

All riders must have an application on file and be accepted into the Catch-a-Ride program prior to requesting a ride.

How much notice is needed to request a ride?

Once approved as a Catch-a-Ride participant (rider), ride requests must be made with a minimum of five business days notice. We highly recommend two weeks' notice due to the number of ride requests received each week. Rides are based on volunteer availability. We cannot guarantee a ride request will be filled. If CaR is unable to fill a ride request, the participant will receive at least 24 hours notice to find alternative transportation. 

Catch-a-Ride is not an emergency transportation resource for same-day appointments or to destinations such as urgent care or the hospital. 

All riders must be accepted into the program with an application on file prior to making a ride request.

What are other transportation resources?

Other transportation resources can be found on our Information and Community Resources page.

Catch-a-Ride Resources

Contact Information

Anna Collins 
Catch-a-Ride Coordinator
913-715-8900