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SENIOR SERVICES

GOVERNMENT » Departments » Senior Services  » Agency Programs » RITA
Who is eligible to use the RITA service?
 
Any Rowan County resident not served by the Salisbury Transit System is eligible to use the RITA Service.  This includes residents living in China Grove, Landis, North Kannapolis, Rockwell, Granite Quarry, Faith, and Cleveland.  Some residents in Salisbury, Spencer and East Spencer who live more than 3/4 mile from the Salisbury bus lines may also qualify to ride on RITA.
 
  Who do I call to get RITA transportation services? 
  • First call the Senior Services Department for information
  • The telephone number is 704-216-7700
  • Senior Services will take application and approve caller to use RTS
  Who do I call to make  a Trip Reservation?
  • Call Rowan Transit System [RTS] to make a trip reservation
  • Call two weeks in advance OR no later than 2:00 PM for the next day service
  • The trip reservation number is 704-636-1144
When is transportation available for my area?
  • South Rowan Area                 Monday & Thursday
  • North Rowan Area                  Wednesday & Friday
  • East Rowan                           Wednesday & Friday
  • West Rowan                          Monday & Tuesday
What is the cost to ride on RITA? 
  • Seniors 60 years of age and older; donations accepted 
  • Handicapped passengers; donations accepted
  • General Public Passengers, under 60; fare charge of $3.00 per day
Does RTS provide any out-of-County Transportation?
RTS may provide limited out-of-County transportation to Medical facilities if a physician provides a written referral for medical services not available in Rowan County. 
 
Passenger Information:   
General Operating Guidelines for RITA: 
1.      Make reservations no later than 2:00 PM the day before your trip.
 
2.      When making reservations, give the dispatcher a list of all of the places you need to go

3.      If your plans change, you must call RTS to cancel your reservation.

4.      Make Doctors appointments between the hours of 9:00 AM and 3:00 PM which allows the driver to get you to the appointment on time and back home before the end of a normal work day.
 
6.      Doctor & agency appointment times have the highest priority in routing the vehicle.  All other trip times are scheduled to create the most efficient routing for the vehicle.

8.      The driver must transport to the closest store or provider of a service.  Best example, RITA cannot pass one of the major grocery stores to take a rider across town to their preference of a different store.
 
9.    Passengers are expected to wear seat belts when the vehicle is moving.

10.  Passengers are prohibited from drinking, eating, or using any tobacco on the van.

11.  Alcoholic beverages cannot be transported on the RITA vans.

12.  Passenger must place their fare or contribution in the box.  Do not give cash to the driver.

13.  Driver cannot give change for the fare or your contribution.

14.  Passengers may request assistance to and from their front door when needed.
 
15.  Do not ask the driver to go through the door inside your home.

16.  If the RITA van takes you but you find another ride home; call RTS to let us know you have a ride.

17.  If you need help to get around, please bring someone with you to help with your mobility.

18.  The RITA van is considered on time when arriving 15 minutes early or 15 minutes late.
 
19.  Be patient!  When the driver is very busy, the waiting time can be as much as 30 minutes.

20.  Approved destinations may be anywhere within the area served or to and from Salisbury.  RITA will not go from one rural county zone to another rural county zone.  For example, West Rowan residents will not be transported to China Grove or Rockwell or Faith…etc unless it is to a doctor.
 
Please understand that RITA service is NOT a Taxicab service that generally helps one person at a time!  The purpose of RITA is to provide transportation assistance to a larger group of residents who live in the same area.  The passenger group is transported in a large van to many different destinations in the same day.  
Additional Transportation Options: 

Salisbury Transit System:

Salisbury Para-Transit:
  • Handicapped accessible van service for Salisbury, Spencer, and East Spencer
  • Must have a "functional" disability that prevents one from using fixed bus routes
  • Must request application for Para-Transit Service
  • For additional information call Salisbury Transit 704-638-8645
Medicaid Transportation:
  • For individuals who are on full Medicaid benefits and have no other transportation
  • Strictly for trips to doctors and medical facilities for Medicaid covered services
  • For more information call Medicaid Transportation Coordinator 704-638-8645
Institutional Transportation:
  • Nursing Homes & Adult Care Homes Facilities must provide necessary resident transportation for services that are not otherwise available in the home
  • Discuss transportation requests with the facility Social Worker
Out-of-Town Medical Trips:
  • For non-Medicaid county/city residents
  • Strictly for trips to doctors and medical facilities 
  • Must be to a service that is not available in our county or have a doctors order stating that there is some necessity to go out of town
  • Call Rowan Transit System  @ 704-216-8889
Dialysis Transportation:  
  • For Salisbury & Kannapolis Dialysis Centers
  • For more information call Ro. Co. Senior Services Dept. 704-216-7700
 
For more information from the NC Public Transportation Division:   

 

  


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