Submitted by Kelly Taylor, Executive Director, Urban/Rural Rides
Every day in rural New Brunswick, seniors and low‑income families face a simple but critical barrier: getting to medical appointments, dialysis treatments, and the food bank. Urban/Rural Rides is a volunteer‑powered charity that closes this gap by providing safe, affordable, reliable rides where public transit doesn’t reach. By becoming a volunteer driver, you don’t just give someone a lift—you help preserve their independence, health, and connection to community.
Every day in rural New Brunswick, seniors and low‑income families face a simple but critical barrier: getting to medical appointments, dialysis treatments, and the food bank. Urban/Rural Rides is a volunteer‑powered charity that closes this gap by providing safe, affordable, reliable rides where public transit doesn’t reach. By becoming a volunteer driver, you don’t just give someone a lift—you help preserve their independence, health, and connection to community.
What You’ll Do (and How It Works)
As a volunteer driver, you’ll receive ride requests from a regional coordinator and pick up clients at their door, drive them to their destination (often a clinic or hospital), and bring them home. Rides are typically scheduled with 48 hours’ notice, allowing you to plan around your own routine. You use your own vehicle, and all drivers are screened and supported by the organization.
Tangible Benefits for You
Make an immediate, visible impact. One ride can mean a client makes it to dialysis on time, avoids a health crisis, or gets a food box for the week.
Flexible, meaningful commitment. You can volunteer a few hours a week or take on regular routes—ideal for retirees, remote workers, or anyone with daytime availability.
Mileage reimbursement. Volunteer drivers are reimbursed at $0.54/km from home and back, helping offset fuel and wear.
Community connection. You’ll meet neighbours across urban and rural areas, hear their stories, and become part of a trusted local network.
Purpose and routine. For many retirees, driving provides structure, social contact, and the satisfaction of using a simple skill to solve a real problem.
Who Can Volunteer
Urban/Rural Rides is looking for drivers who are 21+, hold a valid Class 5 licence, have a clean, safety‑inspected vehicle, and can complete a criminal records and vulnerable sector check. Supplemental liability insurance is required (and reimbursable), and the organization guides you through the onboarding steps.
How to Get Started
Contact Debbi at 506-866-3353 or visit us online at urbanruralrides.ca (http://urbanruralrides.ca) for more information or to volunteer.
As a volunteer driver, you’ll receive ride requests from a regional coordinator and pick up clients at their door, drive them to their destination (often a clinic or hospital), and bring them home. Rides are typically scheduled with 48 hours’ notice, allowing you to plan around your own routine. You use your own vehicle, and all drivers are screened and supported by the organization.
Tangible Benefits for You
Make an immediate, visible impact. One ride can mean a client makes it to dialysis on time, avoids a health crisis, or gets a food box for the week.
Flexible, meaningful commitment. You can volunteer a few hours a week or take on regular routes—ideal for retirees, remote workers, or anyone with daytime availability.
Mileage reimbursement. Volunteer drivers are reimbursed at $0.54/km from home and back, helping offset fuel and wear.
Community connection. You’ll meet neighbours across urban and rural areas, hear their stories, and become part of a trusted local network.
Purpose and routine. For many retirees, driving provides structure, social contact, and the satisfaction of using a simple skill to solve a real problem.
Who Can Volunteer
Urban/Rural Rides is looking for drivers who are 21+, hold a valid Class 5 licence, have a clean, safety‑inspected vehicle, and can complete a criminal records and vulnerable sector check. Supplemental liability insurance is required (and reimbursable), and the organization guides you through the onboarding steps.
How to Get Started
Contact Debbi at 506-866-3353 or visit us online at urbanruralrides.ca (http://urbanruralrides.ca) for more information or to volunteer.
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