“I was so relieved when you said you could help.”

Roni, 53, had just turned in for the night when she remembered that she needed to be at the hospital early the next morning to prep for an upcoming surgery. Rescheduling was unwise, but she didn’t know how she would get there. She lives alone and can’t drive due to a service-related disability. There was no one she could ask for a ride. It was too late to schedule paratransit, and she couldn’t afford a taxi.

She called 211, half expecting to get a recording at 1:00 a.m. But a Resource Navigator answered and told Roni about Ride United, a partnership between United Way Worldwide, Lyft, and 211 that helps people with transportation barriers access medical care and essential services. To Roni’s delight, the Resource Navigator arranged rides to and from the hospital while Roni was on the line. Her Lyft drivers arrived promptly, and her pre-op procedures went smoothly.

“I was so relieved when you said Ride United could help,” Roni told 211 later that day. “You saved the day. I love this!” -Roni, SE PA

*The Ride United service is currently only available in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh.

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