River Valley Transit (RVT) is pleased to announce the launch of Encompass, an exciting new program that allows seniors and anyone in the disability community to travel within select towns in the Middlesex County area up to eight miles for just $5— any day, for any reason. RVT has partnered with M7, Connecticut’s largest taxi operator, to provide the service.
The low-cost rides will first be available in Clinton, Lyme, Old Lyme, Old Saybrook, and Westbrook. Encompass will soon be expanding into the following areas: Durham, East Hampton, Middlefield, Chester, Deep River, Essex, East Haddam, Haddam, and Killingworth.
“We wanted to do everything we could to help our seniors and our passengers with disabilities get where they need to go—to the doctor, the pharmacy, the grocery store, or just to see family,” said Bill Scalzi, owner of M7. “We want to help get America moving again, and this innovative partnership helps Connecticut make that a reality.”
“We are always looking at ways to improve mobility in our region. We are excited to partner with M7 to expand this innovative transportation solution to our senior and disabled community,” says Joseph Comerford, Executive Director of River Valley Transit.
Anyone can apply in minutes to be included in the program by going to Encompass.M7Ride.com and clicking the “Apply Now” button for Middlesex County. Passengers must be 60 years of age or over or provide proof of a disability to apply. Trip payments are made online through a personal Encompass account created by the passenger. Passengers can easily load funds into the account via credit card payments or direct bank transfers. When a ride ends, the trip is automatically paid and the passenger simply exits the vehicle. There is no limit to the number of trips a passenger can take, and trips beyond eight miles are charged at a rate of $2.90 per mile. The passenger is given the exact trip cost at the time of booking and the fare is automatically deducted at the end of each ride.
All M7 drivers are fully trained and vetted, and all vehicles are fully licensed, inspected and insured.