VolTran (Volunteer Transportation)

What We Do:  Provide free transportation to older adults and persons with disabilities to meet their medical and critical errands, and others in need of critical transportation.

Who We Are:  Dedicated, caring volunteer drivers and board members.

Who We Serve:  Residents of Fauquier, Rappahannock, Culpeper, Madison, and Orange Counties.

Why We Fundraise:   Donations from local citizens, our passengers, and grants help with our outreach for volunteer recruitment, to retain a volunteer coordinator, and to show appreciation to our volunteer drivers through various events.

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Transportation within our communities can often be a challenge, especially for older adults and those with disabilities.  Lack of transportation in our rural area is one of the top three needs identified by older adults.  VolTran is an organization of ALL volunteer drivers who donate their time and typically use their own vehicles and gas to drive these individuals to meet their critical needs.  Our passengers seek rides to doctors and dentist offices, for dialysis and physical therapy, the pharmacy, bank, grocery store, and for other necessary errands.   It is also important to connect people socially and so we provide rides to the Senior Centers, the library, the beauty salon, church, and visits to loved ones in medical facilities, to name a few.  

During 2023, over 33 drivers completed 3,176 trips, drove over 68,000 miles and donated a total of 3,732 hours of their time! As more people become aware of our transportation program, the need increases.  At present, VolTran has 56 active drivers, but we are still unable to meet all the ride requests we receive.  A continued recruitment of new drivers is key to providing the free rides we offer!  

How do I Become a Volunteer:  

To become a VolTran driver, volunteers must agree to a vetting process which includes a criminal background and DMV check in order to drive for our program and be at least 21 years of age.   VolTran does offer supplemental insurance for all drivers.  These safeguards for our members of our community and for our volunteer drivers have associated costs.  Donations will help cover these costs.

Testimonials from our Drivers:   

"I enjoy meeting new people. I love the clients. They are extremely appreciative of the assistance that VolTran offers” states Cindy, a driver since 2019.

When asked why you volunteer as a driver, Linda replied: "Being a VolTran driver is a wonderful way to help others.  I realize that our free transportation service might be the only way that some individuals can get to their doctor's appointment or the grocery store."

Our driver, Gary said:  "I enjoy meeting lots of interesting people and a variety of people; being able to provide them a service (transport to medical appointments and other life critical activities) that they need.  I have gained the perspective that I have no right to complain about my little aches and pains when I see what many others are going through."

John stated:  "There are so many people in our community that need help. Voltran is an organization that provides help as well as hope for people that need medical care and have limited means and support.  I live in Warrenton and love my community, it gives me the opportunity to help the people in my community. The appreciation from our clients is something that I cherish."

Testimonials from our Passengers:

"I have been using Voltran for many years & absolutely love them. They make things so easy with only having to make a call. They are always ready to serve you.  Also, the volunteers are wonderful.  So friendly & courteous.  Living in Amissville there is no public transportation and not having a car, I have relied on Voltran to get us to our medical appointments, hospital and rehab visitations, and monthly food shopping trips."

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"Voltran van ride has been a Blessing to my husband and myself.  He is a paraplegic to a wheelchair for transportation for the past 9 years.  I can no longer handle him to load and unload in our vehicle.  Without Voltran, he would not be able to make very needed doctor appointments, physical therapy appointments, dentist and etc.   Our volunteer drivers have been a God-send to a point where my husband feels confident he will arrive safely and on time and is transported to and from his destination.  Thank God for this service."