top of page
LIFT LOGO 2.png

Need a ride?

LIFT Grundy can help you get where you need to go. We offer free rides for Grundy County residents to get to health care, work, grocery stores, and other important places. Getting where you need to go helps you stay healthy and take care of yourself and your family. We offer two different ride options based on your needs and where you are going.

​

You can also email us at transportation@southcumberlandcommunityfund.org. Our office hours are M-F 9-5. We ask that you try and request rides at least 48 hours in advance, this ensures us enough time to secure you a ride

Ride with SETHRA if you:

  • Have repeated trips on a regular basis

  • Need help with mobility, disability, or health-related accommodations (e.g., wheelchairs)

  • Need a ride off the mountain or more than an hour drive away

  • Are approved for time-limited employment transportation as part of a stabilization plan

  • Need someone to accompany you to an appointment

Call (931) 315-1100
Ride with a Volunteer Driver if you:

  • Have one-time or occasional trips

  • Are able to be flexible with timing

  • Are traveling shorter distances (e.g., staying on the mountain)

  • Do not require specialized vehicle accommodations

  • Can safely ride in a volunteer’s personal vehicle

Call (423) 671-2333

  • Eligibility determinations are made holistically and not all factors must be present in every case.

     

    Baseline Requirements

    • Individual is a resident of the service area

    • Individual has an identified transportation barrier 

    • Transportation need is connected to health outcomes

     

    Additional Factors Considered in Eligibility Determination

    • Referral or connection through a partner organization, CHW, case manager, or program staff

    • Lack of reasonable alternative transportation at the time of request

    • Program capacity and transportation options that align with identified needs

  • To help us schedule a ride, we may ask for a few basic details, such as:

    • The date and time of the appointment or service

    • Pickup and drop-off locations

    • What the appointment or service is for (medical details are not required)

    • Any timing, distance, or mobility considerations needed to schedule the ride safely

    We aim to ask only what is necessary to coordinate transportation and do not require callers to share more information than they are comfortable providing.

  • Rides are currently available Monday through Friday between 8:30 AM and 5:30 PM. We do our best to help whenever we can, and we understand that urgent needs come up. To give us the most options, we ask that ride requests be made at least 48 hours in advance whenever possible, especially for long-distance trips (such as Murfreesboro or Chattanooga). Advance notice gives us the best chance to match a rider with an available volunteer driver or to coordinate scheduling with SETHRA drivers.

     

    If a request is made within 48 hours, we will still try to assist, but availability cannot be guaranteed.

  • We are able to provide both local and long-distance rides.

     

    Local rides are shorter trips, usually within the county or nearby, and typically take about an hour or less round trip. Long-distance rides are trips outside of the county or trips that take several hours to complete.

     

    Long-distance rides may require additional advance notice and are subject to availability. Examples include specialty care appointments in places like Murfreesboro or Chattanooga.

  • Generally Eligible Ride Purposes

    Primary (Highest Priority)

    • Medical appointments (primary care, specialty care, behavioral health)

    • Preventive services (screenings, labs, follow-ups)

    • Pharmacy pick-ups when no alternative exists

    Secondary (Time-Limited /Case-by-Case)

    • Employment-related rides when directly tied to health stability, such as:

      • Getting to a new job during an initial employment period

      • Maintaining employment that provides health insurance

    • Social service appointments that support health outcomes (e.g., benefits enrollment)

     

    Generally NOT Eligible Ride Purposes

    A ride is generally out of scope if it is primarily for convenience, recreation, or personal preference and is not connected to health, employment stability, or access to essential services.

    • Social or recreational activities (movies, concerts, sporting events, social visits)

    • Non-essential errands or shopping

    • Ongoing commuting without a transition or stabilization plan

    • Trips that duplicate another funded transportation benefit

  • LIFT Grundy’s transportation support is intended to provide short-term, goal-oriented assistance that helps address immediate transportation barriers while making responsible use of limited program resources.

    ​

    Transportation support is:

    • Short-term and goal-oriented, based on the purpose of the ride and individual needs

    • Reviewed periodically by program staff to ensure support continues to align with program goals and available capacity

    • Subject to reasonable limits related to ride frequency, distance, or duration

     

    Limits are not applied automatically and may vary depending on individual circumstances, the type of transportation needed, and program capacity.

     

    For employment-related rides:

    • Approval is time-limited (e.g., 30–90 days)

    • Intended to support transition to a sustainable transportation option

     

    When ongoing transportation needs are identified, staff may work with individuals to discuss timelines, review points, or next steps rather than ending support abruptly.

  • In some circumstances, exceptions to these guidelines may be considered when doing so supports health, safety, or access to essential services.

    • Exceptions may be made in documented circumstances

    • Approved by designated staff (e.g., Program Manager)

    • Must include a brief justification

    • Do not establish precedent

     

    Exceptions are reviewed on a case-by-case basis and are intended to provide flexibility when standard guidelines do not fully address a specific situation.

  • LIFT Grundy’s transportation support is focused on access to healthcare, essential services, and short-term needs tied to health and stability. As a result, the program does not provide:

    • Emergency or on-demand transportation

    • Transportation outside of scheduled program hours

    • Rides primarily for social, recreational, or non-essential purposes

    • Ongoing commuting without a defined transition or stabilization plan

    • Transportation that duplicates another funded transportation benefit when that option is reasonably available

     

    Transportation support does not replace insurance-covered transportation or other existing transportation benefits. When a request falls outside the scope of this program, staff will communicate this clearly and, when possible, help identify other options or next steps.

    • While we make every effort to accommodate ride requests, availability depends on timing, capacity, and the type of transportation needed. If we are unable to schedule a ride, staff will communicate this as early as possible. When feasible, staff may help identify alternative options or next steps. Not all requests can be fulfilled, but we aim to be transparent and respectful in all communication.

Rider Code of Conduct

  • I will be ready for my LIFT Grundy ride at the scheduled time.

  • I will always wear my seat belt (unless a medical condition prohibits it).

  • I will not make derogatory or discriminatory remarks.

  • I will not use alcoholic beverages or mood altering drugs prior to or during my ride.

  • I will not smoke or eat in the driver’s automobile.

  • I will treat the driver with dignity, courtesy, and respect.

  • I will immediately contact the driver and LIFT Grundy as soon as I know that I am not able to keep my requested ride. No shows and last-minute cancellations may result in penalties.

  • A LIFT Grundy survey will be provided to me to address both positive and negative comments of the LIFT program.

  • I understand that LIFT Grundy provides service through the door, both at my house and at the destination, if I need it.

  • I understand that the driver will only take me to the destination that is originally scheduled on the specific day of travel and to no other destination without prior approval.

  • I understand the volunteer driver is not required to carry, lift, or provide special assistance that could cause harm.

  • I understand that I am not to bring any guns, knives, or any other weapons on my ride regardless of certifications

  • I know that LIFT Grundy drivers cannot accept any money, gifts or tips.

 

Communication & Cancellations

  • Riders should contact the driver and the LIFT GRUNDY team as soon as possible if they are unable to keep a scheduled ride.

  • No-shows or last-minute cancellations may impact future ride eligibility.

 

Ride Parameters & Assistance

  • Rides are provided to and from the scheduled destination only. Additional stops or destination changes require prior approval.

  • Drivers are not required to lift, carry, or provide physical assistance that could cause injury to themselves or the rider.

  • Door-through-door assistance may be provided when needed, but availability depends on driver capacity and safety considerations.

 

Feedback

  • Riders may be invited to complete a survey to share feedback, including positive experiences or concerns.

 

Failure to follow safety or conduct expectations may result in limitations on future ride eligibility. These guidelines help ensure a safe and respectful experience for riders, drivers, and staff.

Submit a Rider Information Form
bottom of page