While you may know the green and gold buses for their cheap bus rides, the Mecosta Osceola Transit Authority have added a new offering to serve the area.

Their new transportation service provides medical transportation for people travelling to doctor appointments, dialysis treatments, physical therapy sessions, and other appointments.

“Everybody has been super happy about it, and we’ve gotten a lot of great reviews,” MOTA Mobility Director, Marsha Cornelius said. “It is a very personable, comfortable, and specialty service that get people from A to B.”

The service had a soft launch on April 1 and got six vehicles up and running full-time by the end of the month. Each vehicle has an 800-pound lift to help those enter the vehicle. According to Cornelius, they are already looking at expansion. 

“We are going to grow very quickly,” Cornelius said. “There’s a consensus that once we get busier and busier, we are going to need enough people in vans to cover it. We’ll cross that bridge when we get to it.”

Hours for transportation are 6:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M. on all five weekdays. Affordable rates are $15 for a one-way trip within the service area and $45 per hour for out of county travel up to 100 miles.

Scheduling these rides can be done up to six months in advance by calling 231-796-4896. Calls can be made any weekday from 8:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M.

“We really are here to help the people,” Cornelius said. “Our drivers will get out of their seat to help and assist you. We're really trying to help the people get to their doctor's appointments, get healthy, and stay healthy. We're here for a reason.”

Current insurance services that are covered are Priority Health and Medicaid. For other companies, the local DHHS office can be contacted for approval. 

 

*Photo courtesy of MOTA