On July 7, 2026, the Northwest Regional Transportation Coordinating Council (NWRTCC) launched the Community Connections program to support older adults and others who face transportation challenges in Warren. This flexible, local service helps residents reach the grocery store, pharmacy, community events, and essential services. Within its first month, Community Connections provided 76 rides for 96 passengers, covering more than 180 miles. By offering a convenient transportation option that helps residents remain active, connected, and independent, Community Connections is demonstrating how innovative local mobility solutions can improve quality of life and help residents remain engaged in their community.
After a routine outreach visit to senior communities in Washington County, a resident picked up a transit flyer. Like many aging Minnesotans, she was curious but uncertain about giving up driving. It took six months, but she held on to the flyer, and eventually called the transportation navigator. After thoughtful guidance from the county’s transportation navigator, she decided to try Transit Link and a volunteer driver program. With support and reassurance, she scheduled her first ride to visit her sister—something she had not been able to do since before the pandemic. That one trip renewed a cherished connection. She now uses both services to reach medical appointments and stay engaged in her community. Public Transit isn’t just for commuters – it connects people to loved ones. Personal, relationship-based support helped her transition to new transportation options and regain independence. Her newfound independence has added invaluable connections to her life.
A senior living alone in rural East Central Minnesota had grown uneasy driving in difficult weather and worried about losing independence. At a local event, they visited the East Central RTCC table and learned about regional coordination efforts and available transportation services. But the real turning point was when staff shared their regional transportation directory—a single, easy-to-use resource listing buses, medical ride options, and taxi services. With this booklet, the senior gained a clearer understanding of how to access services and felt less isolated by transportation barriers. Armed with the directory, the senior identified appropriate transit services and began scheduling rides for necessary trips. The directory became a lifeline, offering peace of mind, reduced isolation, and a renewed sense of security.
In rural communities across central Minnesota, transportation is often about much more than simply getting from one place to another. For older adults and individuals recovering from injuries or living with disabilities, access to reliable transportation can determine whether they are able to attend medical appointments, buy groceries, remain socially connected, and continue living independently.
One rider connected with Faith in Action after experiencing a life-changing car accident shortly after Thanksgiving. Following a head-on collision that totaled her vehicle and left her injured, she suddenly had no way to travel to follow-up medical appointments in Brainerd.
“I called Faith in Action and they helped me get to my appointments,” she shared. “They’re more than just driving us places. They actually listen, they’re a shoulder to cry on, and they give you a hug when they leave. It makes you feel like a member of their family.”
Volunteer drivers not only provided transportation, but also companionship and emotional support during a difficult recovery period. For many riders in rural areas, isolation can become a major challenge after losing the ability to drive. Transportation services help reconnect people to healthcare, groceries, and community life.
As one volunteer driver explained, “I’m a volunteer at heart. I think I have met the most fantastic people in the world both as clients that I picked up and people that I work with. I love it. I love people. I go home at the end of the day thinking I just had the best day that I ever had.”
The rider reflected, “It gives us more freedom. It’s very hard to ask for help. You don’t realize what’s out there until you actually go through something like I went through.”
Public transit does more than provide a service. It’s also an essential part of building community. Roger, a driver for Central Community Transit’s Title II B program, has chosen to drive a smaller vehicle (a Chevy Traverse) instead of a large bus to help him truly connect with his riders. Trips often include multiple stops—such as groceries, pharmacy visits, or lunch with friends—helping riders maintain independence and stay active in their communities.
For nearly a year, CCT’s Chevy sat largely unused. There simply wasn’t funding for a regular driver, fuel, and maintenance. That changed in March 2026, when, after being connected to CCT by the Mid-Minnesota Regional Transportation Coordinating Council, and with some additional MMRTCC assistance, the Connected Communities project applied a portion of their grant funding to help develop this new CCT transportation solution, in an effort to reduce isolation among the area’s aging individuals. Roger and his colleagues have since provided 436 rides to 78 different individuals.
While, each day, these numbers continue to grow, they only tell part of the story. Roger pays attention to the small things that make a big difference. He loads walkers and mobility devices into the back of the vehicle. He also opens and closes car doors and carefully loads and unloads groceries and packages. These aren’t required tasks but, rather, the personal touches that let riders know they’re valued members of the community.
For Roger, riders aren’t customers; they’re friends. For his growing pool of riders, that distinction makes all the difference.
