VRT’s Rides2Wellness expands to Mountain Home in partnership with St. Luke’s

VRT has launched a six‑month expansion of its Rides2Wellness program into Mountain Home, broadening access to healthcare transportation for Elmore County residents. The pilot is jointly funded by St. Luke’s, a primary supporter of Rides2Wellness.

Rides2Wellness provides no‑cost, pre‑scheduled transportation to and from approved Saint Alphonsus, St. Luke’s, Terry Reilly, and Central District Health facilities in Ada and Canyon counties. Expanding the service to Elmore County will connect even more community members to essential medical care.

“Access to healthcare begins with the ability to get to your appointment. Through our partnership with Valley Regional Transit and collaboration with Desert Sage Health Centers, the Rides2Wellness program helps remove transportation barriers that can prevent Elmore County residents from accessing care. Desert Sage has been a great partner in advancing this work, and we’re optimistic about this program’s ability to expand access to care and improve health outcomes in our communities,” said Lisa Melchiorre, chief operating officer/chief nursing officer at St. Luke’s Elmore.

Since its launch in 2016, Rides2Wellness has provided critical transportation to medical appointments, made possible through funding from St. Luke’s and Saint Alphonsus Health Systems.

“VRT is proud to provide essential transportation that helps people access healthcare,” said Leslie Pedrosa, VRT’s Chief Operating Officer. “This wouldn’t be possible without our partners at St. Luke’s and Saint Alphonsus. In the last six months alone, the program provided 12,000 rides to critical appointments, and we anticipate even more trips as Rides2Wellness grows.”

Beginning today, rides to and from Mountain Home can be booked by calling VRT Customer Service at (208) 345‑7433. Trips are available Monday through Friday between 7:30 a.m. and 5:15 p.m.

As the six‑month pilot nears its end later this year, VRT and St. Luke’s will evaluate whether the expansion should become permanent.

More information is available at ridevrt.org/R2W.