Valley-Wide Ride expands to Monte Vista

SAN LUIS VALLEY– Valley-Wide Health Systems announces the launch of its new transportation program. The Valley-Wide Ride is a free transportation program for wellness and health related activities.


The program is currently available in Alamosa, and began in the Buena Vista area Monday, Sept. 14. Expansion plans include Cañon City, and in the Valley Wide Health Systems Arkansas Valley locations.

Rides are available to anyone in the Alamosa and Monte Vista areas, and you don’t have to be a Valley-Wide patient to use the Ride. Passengers must be 18 years or older to ride alone, and minors must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.


Reservations are required to secure a ride and should be made at least 24 hours in advance of the pick-up time, but Valley-Wide will try to accommodate some same-day reservations. Patient visits to healthcare appointments will take precedence over all other ride types.


Ride pickups and drop-offs are available Monday – Friday, 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. Reservations can be made by calling 1-833-350-1113 and the reservation line is open Monday – Friday, 7 a.m. – 5p.m. Because the Valley-Wide Ride is free, services are limited to “health and well-being” trips such as:


Medical/Dental/Behavioral Health appointments


Convenient Care/Hospital visits of non-emergent nature


Prescription pick up


Social Services (Anything related to Department of Human Services)


Employment Services/Workforce Centers


Courthouse/Legal Services


Grocery Stores


Libraries


Gyms


Laundromats


Valley-Wide is able to create this service due to a $50,000 Community Facilities Grant for patient transportation assistance. With this grant money, they purchased four sedans and hired four full-time drivers.


Valley-Wide has implemented strict disinfection protocols for the service. Each time the driver drops off a passenger, the interior of the car is completely wiped down with sanitizing wipes that are to kill off bacteria and viruses, including the COVID-19 Coronavirus. All drivers and passengers are required to wear a mask while inside the car.