RTP Seeks Volunteers to Meet Rising Demand for Transportation in Cumberland County

Regional Transportation Program (RTP) is seeking volunteer drivers to meet rising demand for its door-to-door ride program throughout Cumberland County.

RTP uses volunteers to provide rides when its buses and vans are not available. At present, the organization has about 50 volunteers who use their own vehicles and are reimbursed for mileage at 30 cents a mile. For additional information about the volunteer driver program, call Jon McNulty at RTP at 774-2666, extension 16. If outside the Portland area, call 1-800-244-0704.

Established in 1976, RTP is a United Way agency that provides door-to-door transportation to the elderly, social service agency clients, the economically disadvantaged and persons with disabilities. RTP serves more than 4,500 people countywide, providing about 1,000 rides a day to people who need to get to medical appointments, grocery shopping, work and other necessary services.

The volunteer driver program is one of several RTP programs that serve residents of Cumberland County. Other programs include Access to Jobs to help people transition from welfare to work; the ADAPT service that provides door-to-door, wheelchair-accessible rides to persons with disabilities in Portland, South Portland and Westbrook; Rider's Choice, which enables Cumberland County residents to make a single telephone call - 774-2666 or 800-244-0704 - to find the most appropriate public transportation option; and a commuter bus service from Saco/Portland to BIW in Bath.

RTP, headquartered in Portland at 127 St. John Street, has a fleet of 34 buses and vans and serves more than 26 towns in the county, including Portland, South Portland, Scarborough, Westbrook, Gorham, Falmouth, Bridgton, Cape Elizabeth, Yarmouth, Freeport and Windham.

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