25 Dec Telluride Region: Improved Transportation Options
Southwest Colorado residents are gaining a new transportation option this month as Liberty Mobility Now, Inc. (Liberty) launches its ride-hailing services in Montrose, San Miguel and Ouray Counties. The launch of Liberty Mobility Now, Inc. is made possible through a partnership among Liberty, Tri-County Health Network (TCHNetwork), the Telluride Foundation and Rocky Mountain Health Plans.
TCHNetwork will be providing subsidized Liberty rides to help families and individuals in need access their medical appointments and related services. Liberty drivers will be TCHNetwork volunteers in lieu of independent contractors, earning 60 cents a mile with a passenger.
Known as the nation’s first rural and small urban Mobility as a Service provider, Liberty operates a ride-hailing platform not unlike Uber or Lyft. Passengers can hail rides using a free app, but the company also operates a toll-free call center to serve individuals with no smartphone access. Rides can be scheduled on-demand or up to three days in advance.
The ride-hailing service—which costs a dollar per mile with a $1.10 booking fee—will be available to the general public for any type of transportation need, including shopping, late night rides, tourism and airport trips. Through TCHNetwork, some will qualify for transportation to medical and related appointments on a sliding scale fee.
“Whenever we launch in a new area, we look for partnerships that can help us serve the community and eliminate transportation barriers for people in need,” said Erich Lange, Liberty’s Southwest Colorado Area Manager. “We are honored to be working with Tri-County Health Network to provide low-cost transportation for those who need help getting to services that promote health.”
Lange said Liberty will begin providing trips in mid-December, and is currently seeking additional drivers. In this case, drivers will sign up as TCHNetwork volunteers and receive a reimbursement of .60 cents per mile, while using their own vehicles and setting their own schedules.
“This is a unique partnership where Liberty will recruit its drivers through Tri-County Health Network,” Lange said. “And we hope to find drivers who not only want to earn extra income, but who have the desire to improve the lives of people in their community. Of course, we sweetened the deal a little. On top of .60 cents per mile, the first 30 drivers to give 10 rides will earn a $100 bonus.”
To sign up call Erich at 970-919-0229 or visit tchnetwork/liberty.
Rasa Kaunelis, from Tri-County Health Network, shared her excitement over the launch of Liberty services in the region:
“We’ve heard for years from residents across our three counties that transportation is a barrier to all types of services like doctor’s appointments, grocery stores and employment opportunities. Liberty is an innovative solution to this problem,” she said.
Kaunelis added that those who feel they may qualify for subsidized rides should contact TCHNetwork for information. Anyone can schedule a Liberty ride by downloading the Liberty Rider app for free on Google Play or the App Store, or, by dialing Liberty’s toll-free call center at 1-844-74-LIBERTY (1-844-745-4237).
About Liberty Mobility Now, Inc.
Liberty Mobility Now, Inc. (Liberty) is the nation’s first rural and small urban Mobility as a Service (MaaS) provider and transportation brokering company. Liberty is on a mission to connect communities and improve lives by implementing efficient, affordable, reliable transportation service wherever there is a need. To accomplish that mission, Liberty forges public-private partnerships, harnesses the power of technology, and deploys some of the industry’s best drivers. The company’s top-tier safety and customer service standards set it apart from the competition, and reflect its commitment to individuals and families. Liberty is about everyday mobility—and the freedom and independence that comes along with it.
About Tri-County Health Network:
Formed in 2010, Tri-County Health Network (TCHNetwork) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in Telluride, that operates a number of Community Outreach Programs. It serves a vital role in filling the void of access to critical healthcare by assuring care is accessible, affordable, and available to all populations regardless of socioeconomic status in a 3-county region in southwest Colorado, including San Miguel, Montrose, and Ouray counties. For more information, visit: www.tchnetwork.org.
About the Telluride Foundation:
Since 2000, the Telluride Foundation has provided support to help ensure that our beautiful mountain region thrives for years to come. The Foundation supplies the region with the resources necessary to improve the quality of life and meet the challenges of today and tomorrow. While Telluride connects people to nature with exceptional sights and activities, the Foundation connects the entire region to create a tight-knit community. Everyone who shares the Foundation’s passion for this place we all call home is in good company.
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