Volunteer-based Travel Training and Bus Buddy Program
The purpose of this document is to provide interested parties with information to
enable them to prepare and submit a proposal for a volunteer-based Travel
Training and Bus Buddy program.
The County intends to use the results of this process to award a contract(s) or
issuance of purchase order for services stated above.
The County is searching for a vendor with experience managing a
volunteer-based program, wherein volunteers will:
a) train inexperienced riders to utilize public transit, and/or
b) accompany senior citizens, who are unfamiliar with public
transit or county transit programs, to become confident and
familiar with travel and schedules, until the new rider is
comfortable using the transportation without the Bus Buddy.
This program will provide non-drivers greater independence and
access to the community by increasing their ability to use mass
transit. Many seniors and people with disabilities could become more
comfortable using public transit if they had appropriate instruction and
encouragement. Currently, these individuals stay at home or rely on
other drivers, when drivers are available. Further, some
inexperienced riders decline the independence that public
transportation would provide, due to anxiety about utilizing an
unfamiliar service.
Vendor will coordinate the program - actively recruit, screen and train
volunteers, match volunteers with riders, track volunteer hours, and
complete required reporting.
