Ride United is an initiative to help overcome transportation barriers in Frederick County.  This rideshare program offers free or discounted rides to veterans and active military, vaccinations and testing and access to a library not served by Transit, as well as to those most vulnerable seeking services from the nonprofit community.  Acceptable ride uses are access to a library, vaccinations and testing, including access to at-home test kit, food access, employment, education, economic stability programs, healthcare and legal needs.

Ride United is a tool in the transportation toolbox for ALICE households on the Pathway to Financial Stability. 

Ride United, in partnership with 2-1-1 and thanks to generous funding from United Way Worldwide, Ausherman Family Foundation and Frederick County Government, is addressing these transportation needs for individuals and their families in Frederick County.

For questions about the Ride United program, contact Veronica Henry at vhenry@uwfrederick.org or 240-578-4014.

Rides are currently provided for those with military service history, library access and for vaccines and medical testing.  For all other eligible rides, which include food access, healthcare, education, employment, legal services, and accessing economic support (e.g. SNAP, affordable housing, etc.), a person must be actively working with one of our partner agencies. To find out whether the agency you are working with is our partner agency, please contact your case manager.

We believe that access to libraries is essential in any community and we understand transportation to a library can sometimes be a challenge for ALICE households in Frederick County.  The Ride United program exists to provide transportation to our community's outstanding services and institutions.

IMPORTANT:  Beginning July 9, riders may access the following libraries using Ride United: Brunswick, Point of Rocks, Thurmont, Emmitsburg, Myersville, Middletown, and Urbana. Use of Transit is encouraged to visit C. Burr Artz and Walkersville libraries located on public transit routes. 

Simply call 211 to get your ride.

You may also call 866-411-6803 to reach the Frederick call center directly.

Support the Ride United program!

We believe that no veteran in Frederick County should miss access to services or employment due to lack of transportation.  Therefore, United Way is making free or discounted rides available to anyone with military service history regardless of discharge status. Rides can be accessed for six major areas of need: food access, employment, education, economic stability, health, legal needs, and library access.

Simply call 211 to get your ride.* 

You may also call 866-411-6803 to reach the Frederick call center directly. 

Thank you for your service!

* Riders may be asked for dates of military service and/or an electronic copy of your active military ID (e.g. CAC or Uniformed Military ID) or retired military ID – regardless of discharge status (e.g. DD214).
* Free or discounted rides are based on starting location and destination, and some restrictions may apply.
* Drivers may not have access to Fort Detrick due to base security restrictions.  Solutions are being developed to provide more liable base access.

Free and Discounted Rides Available to Anyone Receiving a Vaccine! Now available for trips to testing sites and to purchase at-home test kits. VACCINE RIDES ARE AVAILABLE FOR ALL ELIGIBLE AGES AND FOR BOOSTERS! Minors ages 17 and younger must be accompanied by an adult.

STEP 1:  Schedule your vaccine appointment!

marylandvax.org
1-855-MDGoVax
855-634-6829
or contact your family physician

STEP 2:  Schedule your free vaccine ride!

Call 211!

You may also call 866-411-6803 to reach the Frederick call center directly. 

STEP 3: GET VAXED! 

Ride United brings affordable transportation to veterans and other eligible ALICE households.  Here are a few frequently asked questions to help provide the best possible service:

How do I schedule a free or discounted ride?

Free and discounted rides are available by calling 2-1-1 for veterans, vaccines and testing, and library access. All other riders will need to go through their partner nonprofit agency. Trained call takers are available to assist you. Most riders will receive a ride code to use an app on their cell phones.

Free rides sound too good to be true.  How is this program possible?

Indeed, it is possible and it is available!  United Way of Frederick County has developed a partnerships with contributors and sponsors to make the technology and funding available for free/discounted rides in Frederick County.  

How long will the program be available?

The pilot Ride United program ran through June 20, 2022. The assessment period is a block of time when the considerable amount of pilot data will be analyzed. The objective of the assessment period is to use the data to determine if the project is viable moving forward and, if so, to develop policies that best meet the project’s mission and to sustain finite resources.

The Ride United assessment period is scheduled to conclude in the fall of 2022 at which time we hope to produce a comprehensive report and new programmatic policies. We will then make decisions about the feasibility of continuing the program.

Can I use the program multiple times?

Currently, there is funding to support limited rides during the assessment period.  Subject to change, free/discounted rides will be available for veterans, vaccinations & testing and library access, as well as for direct use by nonprofit partners to serve their clients.  This may change in the future.

Are there limitations?

Yes, there are limitations.  Limitations include, but may not be limited to:

• Rider must be an ALICE household as defined by the ALICE Report or an individual with military service history.
• The ride must originate in Frederick County.  Rides starting in other counties will be declined.
• Rides are free or discounted up to the value of each promo-code. Any remaining cost beyond the value of the promo-code is passed on to the rider.
• Rides are available for the following case uses:  anyone with military service history regardless of discharge status, food access, employment, education, economic stability, access to the nearest library, health and legal needs
• Rides for vaccinations and testing
• Rider must be 18 years of age or older, or must be accompanied by a responsible adult.

What if I need help in and out of the car?

When booking your ride, please let the 211 call taker know you need assistance. You can also ask the driver for assistance.  Most drivers are more than happy to help!

Can drivers access Fort Detrick?

Some drivers may have clearance to enter through Fort Detrick gates; however, it's likely that many will not.  We are actively working on solutions to this issue.

What do I do if my ride is canceled or doesn't show up?

If you are using a smartphone app, please reschedule your ride using the app. If 211 scheduled your ride for you, contact 211 by phone as soon as you are aware of an issue.

Do I have to tip the driver?

No, tips are completely voluntary.

Do I need to bring anything on my ride?

If you have small children, you will need car seats and/or booster seats for their safety during the ride. Drivers rarely provide car seats. Nothing else is required but, if you have a cell phone, it'll be helpful to have it with you.

What if I need help with my bags, walker, or wheelchair?

When booking your ride, please let the 211 call taker know you need assistance. You can also ask the driver for assistance.  Most drivers are able to help.  Note that not all cars are equal and some have more storage capacity than others.  If the driver does not have room, 211 can order you another car.