Rider's Guide for Shared Rides

How to Schedule a Ride

Reservationists are available Monday through Friday from 7:30 AM until 5:00 PM.

To reserve a ride for Tuesday through Saturday, you must call before 12:00 PM on the previous business day (remember that holidays are not business days). For trips on Monday, you must call the previous Friday before 12:00 PM. We can take reservations up to two weeks in advance.

When making your reservation for local trips, please be aware that the driver may arrive 15 minutes before or after the pick-up time that you schedule with the reservationist. For example, if you schedule a 9:30 AM pick-up, the driver may arrive as early as 9:15 AM or as late as 9:45 AM. This pick-up window can be longer for long-distance or run-time trip.

When calling to make your reservation, be prepared to provide the following information:

• Your name
• Your appointment day and time
• The complete address and phone number of your destination
• The time you need to return
• Any special needs you may have, such as a bus with a lift, or an aide (attendant) or companion that will be traveling with you

Registration

To check your eligibility status and register for shared ride program/s, please use the PennDOT Find My Ride Eligibility Portal. You may also call Freedom Transit at (724) 223-8747 to register for a program over the phone with a customer service representative or come to our office to register. If you choose to register at the transit center, please call ahead so that we may inform you of any documents required to complete registration.

Text Alert System

See Text Alert System.

Pick-Up Window

When making your reservation, please be aware that the driver can arrive within a 30-minute pick-up window. For example, if you request a 9:30 AM pick-up, the driver may be as early as 9:15 AM or as late as 9:45 AM. At the time of your reservation, a customer service representative will give the 30-minute pick-up window.

With longer trips, a 90-minute pick-up window may be given. These larger pick-up windows are known as “run times”. A customer service representative will determine if a “run time” is needed.

Canceling Your Ride

If you need to cancel your scheduled ride, please call Freedom Transit at least one hour before your scheduled trip at (724) 223-8747.

Medical Will Call Returns

When scheduling a return from a local medical appointment, the customer service representative is able to schedule the trip with a specific return time or as a "will call" return. If you schedule a "will call" return, you will call when your appointment is over, advising Freedom Transit that you are ready for your return trip. If scheduling a “will call” return, please be advised that you may wait up to one hour from the time of your call for your pick-up.

Aides (Attendants) and Companions

An aide or attendant is someone who is physically or medically necessary to assist a passenger in using Freedom Transit's services. An aide can ride free when accompanying an eligible passenger. An aide must be able to provide assistance to the passenger.

A companion is a person who travels with an eligible passenger. Unless the companion is also eligible for one of Freedom Transits’ programs, that person must pay the full, general public fare.

What Freedom Transit Does Not Provide

• Emergency transportation or ambulance service.
• Service in which the distance from the origin to the destination is less than one-quarter mile.
• Attendants or escorts for passengers.
• Assistance within a residence.
• Lifting or carrying assistance.