We are ConnectUP

We are here to help you find transportation options to exceed your expectations and meet your needs.

About ConnectUP

Rides to Wellness (R2W) is a comprehensive non-­‐emergency medical transportation (NEMT) program. Michigan Transportation Connection (MTC) received a grant from the Superior Health Foundation to build a service for all 15 Counties in the UP to provide NEMT transportation. This process will involve finding Transportation Providers to provide the services and Partners to make it sustainable.

MTC will continue to update the site as we get more participating Transportation Providers and Partners. R2W is not meant to be your traditional bus service.  This is a premium service and will be available for local rides and rides that need to go outside the counties for specialized appointments.  The service is to fill in unmet needs in the UP.  We plan to work with as many agencies, groups where transportation is a barrier getting clients to their medical needs.  As we grow the program, we will be using smaller vehicles such as sedans, Vans and Small buses with W/C lifts. Childcare seats, Stepstools, Grocery organizer, Fire Extinguisher, Emergency Food, Traffic Triangles, etc. will be equipped in all vehicles.

Drivers from Transportation Providers will be receiving special training for this Rides to Wellness service. R2W services will be available Monday-­‐Friday, but we are working on weekend service.  All vehicles will have a communication system so that we know where vehicles are in route.  

ConnectUP has Partners in the UP who are making referrals for their clients. The list is growing and once you sign an agreement, you can refer clients immediately.  
Partners will determine the kind of transportation needed.  Clients will need to have a Partner to receive the service.  After two years, this program needs to be sustainable. We need Partners to make the program sustainable who can assume the cost after the grant’s funds run out.  More Partners joining will make the cost of sharing much less.
Success of the program will depend on the Providers and Partners input.

Contacts

Laurie Blamer, Operations Manager
Email:
lblamer@mitransit.com
Phone Number: 1-­844-­532-‐7433 and press 1
vhansle@mitransit.com

Providers

The following providers are available to cover the following counties.

ALTRAN-­‐Alger County
DATA-­‐Delta County
DICSA-Dickinson and Iron County
Ed’s Taxi-Iron Mountain/Dickinson County
EUPTA-Luce and Chippewa County
Gogebic County Transit
Mackinaw County CLM
MARQTRAN
-Marquette County
Ontonagon County Transit
Schoolcraft County Transit
Soo Dial-A-Ride-CLM


Some of the providers will overlap in other counties if Drivers are available.  Please remember Clients need to contact a Partner to get a ride. If a Partner is not listed please call MTC.  Please also see Trip Screening Form.  If you are a Medicaid recipient Medicaid will provide your transportation. Please go to the Trip Screening form and then call your Medicaid provider as instructed.