Transportation Program

Our dedicated corps of volunteer drivers provides transportation for residents of Tippecanoe County to out-of-town medical appointments in Indianapolis, Marion, around the state, and Danville, Illinois.

Our transportation program originated to carry military veterans to medical appointments at area Veterans Administration medical facilities. It soon became apparent that there was a real need for the service in our community for the general public. Each year we provide access to out-of-town medical services to over two hundred residents of the Greater Lafayette area.

Transportation is provided in a late model passenger vehicle provided and maintained by the Red Cross. Drivers have dual insurance coverage for accidents and liability through their own insurance companies and through the Red Cross carrier. The Chapter also conducts a Bureau of Motor Vehicles records check on each driver. In addition, drivers are required to have current certification in CPR and first aid.

NOTE: If you are going to a Veterans' Administration Medical Center for the first time you will need to bring your DD 214 (military discharge) with you.

How the program works:

Call our office at 765-742-6975 with an appointment date and time. We will check that date to determine if the vehicle is available for the requested destination. If it is available we will make arrangements to pick you up at an appropriate time. If the vehicle is not available on that date, you might like to change the appointment to an available date.

Some things you should know:

• Call as early as possible. Space is limited. We are more likely to be available for the date and time you need if you are able to schedule several weeks in advance.
• There are no age or income eligibility requirements. If you are uncomfortable driving in Indianapolis, that is reason enough to use our services.
• There is no cost to the client for transportation services, although donations are always welcome. As with all Red Cross services, the Transportation program is funded entirely by contributions from the American people.
• Our vehicles are not handicapped equipped. This means that clients with special mobility needs should arrange to bring an attendant with them to assist with wheelchairs or other equipment. Be sure to let us know ahead of time of any special circumstances that may be involved in your trip.
• We are not qualified to provide care for patients who need monitored and/or essential treatment during transportation. Clients with those needs should make arrangements for transportation with an appropriate health services provider.
• We frequently carry more than one client to separate facilities. Space is limited. Please let us know if you plan to have anyone accompany you. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
• Smoking is not permitted in Red Cross vehicles at any time. We often carry clients with respiratory problems or allergies, which are aggravated by smoke.
• Try to avoid early morning and late afternoon appointments. It may be more difficult to get a driver for these times.
• Be sure to let us know the time of your first and last appointments. This gives us an idea of when to expect you back. It may be impossible to accommodate appointments that are hours apart.
• If you must cancel for any reason, please give us as much notice as possible.
• We cannot guarantee when we will return to Lafayette. Doctors' schedules can be uncertain. Be prepared to stay all day.
• Please be considerate and courteous to your driver. He/she is volunteering his/her time to provide this service.