Request a Ride

Transporting people, Driving opportunities

Transportation is a fundamental part of life, yet not everyone has equal access to it. United Way created Ride United in 2018 to address the unmet transportation needs of individuals and families and help people in need get critical rides – to food pantries, doctor’s appointments, education programs, job interviews and housing services. Our partnership with Lyft enables individuals to request transportation to an essential location and receive a ride for free, while the driver is still paid at a normal rate.

How Ride United Works

  • Step 1:  Complete Eligibility Application
    An individual makes a scheduled request using this application below for transportation assistance for health, assistance to access food, employment, education, veteran, housing, or financial/medical services. They must be a Southern Chester County Resident and ride must start within Southern Chester County.
  • Step 2: Wait 48 hours for approval during business days
    We will assess your eligibility and schedule a free Lyft ride for you. You do NOT need the Lyft app. Check your e-mail spam filter to ensure you receive our emails.
  • Step 3: A Ride Arrives
    The individual receives a text message when ride is on its way; Lyft drivers are paid at a normal rate and riders arrive safe to their essential appointment.

Getting you where you need to go:

  • This free service is available to Southern Chester County residents (as defined by ride originating from within the 4 school districts of Avon Grove, Kennett Consolidated, Oxford Area, or Unionville-Chadds Ford) who need transportation for any of the following:

Economic Stability

  • Financial Coaching/Empowerment
  • Tax Preparation Services
  • Essential Supplies (non-food)
  • Record Obtainment (SSN, Birth/Death Cert., etc.)
  • Transportation Services (DMV, car repair, etc.)

Education

  • Enrollment
  • Commute to/from School, Class, Daycare
  • Guardian School Engagement
  • Library or Internet Access

Employment

  • Job Interview
  • Commute to/from Work
  • Pre-Employment Needs

Food

  • Grocery Store
  • Prepared/Hot Meals
  • Food Pantry/Bank
  • SNAP/WIC Benefits Access

Health

  • Medical/Dental/Eye Appt & Testing
  • Substance Use Support
  • Mental Health Support/Community Support
  • Apply for Medicare/Medicaid/CHIP Services
  • Return Home from ER
  • Veterans Affairs Services
  • Pharmacy Services
  • Non-emergency health services

Housing

  • Accessing & Maintaining Benefits (vouchers, rental assistance, etc.)
  • Emergency Shelter
  • Utilities Assistance

Disaster

  • Emergency Shelter Access
  • Disaster Relief Offices
  • Evacuation Support
  • Recovery Assistance Appointments

 

Ride Request

PLEASE CHECK YOUR "SPAM" OR "JUNK" FOLDER FOR AN EMAIL RESPONSE FROM: admin@unitedwayscc.org

Have you applied for or used this service before?
Are you a veteran?
Are you employed?
? Upload requirements
Upload requirements
  • One file only.
  • 200 MB limit.
  • Allowed types: pdf, doc, docx, jpeg, png.

FAQ

Important Notes: Rides must be requested at least 48 business hours in advance!

Business hours are Monday - Friday, 8 am - 4 pm. Requests submitted after business hours and on weekends/holidays will be processed the next business day. 

Same day and next day ride requests will NOT be approved. 

  • Riders must live within Southern Chester County, PA. Address verification is required. Southern Chester County is defined as living within one of the following school districts: Avon Grove, Kennett Consolidated, Oxford Area, or Unionville-Chadds Ford.
  • Primary rider must be at least 18 yrs of age (under 18 must be with an adult)
  • All rides must originate in Southern Chester County (as defined by the four school districts of Avon Grove, Kennett Consolidated, Oxford Area, or Unionville-Chadds Ford). Requests for rides originating outside of Southern Chester County, will be denied. 
  • Rides must be for one of the eight approved ride cases and must be used for the purpose for which you have requested.
  • Riders must provide their own car or booster seat for any children riding with them.
  • Rides may be limited, per household and/or individual, based on ride availability and current funding. Currently, a maximum of four roundtrip rides may be issued per month.  
  • Rides cannot be used at a drive-thru site (e.g., fast-food restaurant).
  • Cannot be used for health emergencies (to the E.R. or Urgent Care).
  • Medical/Dental/Eye Appt & Testing
  • Substance Use Support
  • Mental Health Support/Community Support
  • Apply for Medicare/Medicaid/CHIP Services
  • Return Home from ER
  • Veterans Affairs Services
  • Pharmacy Services
  • Non-emergency health services
  • Job Interview
  • Commute to/from Work
  • Pre-Employment Needs
  • Grocery Store
  • Prepared/Hot Meals
  • Food Pantry/Bank
  • SNAP/WIC Benefits Access
  • Education: Enrollment
  • Commute to/from School, Class, Daycare
  • Guardian School Engagement
  • Library or Internet Access
  • Eviction Court
  • Court Ordered Community Service
  • Probation/Parole Check-in
  • Court Ordered Education
  • Commute to/from Court Proceedings/Counsel
  • Accessing & Maintaining Benefits (vouchers, rental assistance, etc.)
  • Emergency Shelter
  • Utilities Assistance
  • Financial Coaching/Empowerment
  • Tax Preparation Services
  • Essential Supplies (non-food)
  • Record Obtainment (SSN, Birth/Death Cert., etc.)
  • Transportation Services (DMV, car repair, etc.)