2-1-1 Transportation Hotline

211 Arizona is proud to offer a variety of free transportation options to the community through our 211 Transportation Hotline. Our current funding provides free rides for heat relief and for caregivers. Unfortunately, other SDOH (social determinants of health) rides are not funded presently, meaning 211 Arizona cannot provide residents free transportation for food, medicine, and other necessities. We are actively seeking funding sources for these vital transportation needs in our community and respectfully request the help of organizations which may be able to assist.

After determining the option that best suits your needs, please call the 211 Transportation Hotline at 1-855-345-6432, or dial 211 and select option 4 for transportation, 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily, to schedule your ride!

COVID-19 Information and Resources Learn More
Heat Relief Information & Resources Learn More

United Way Worldwide, in partnership with Lyft, launched the Ride United initiative to address unmet transportation needs for individuals and families in communities across the country, by providing free Lyft rides to eligible 211 callers.

 

Eligibility

Rides may be utilized for the following needs:

  • Health: medical/dental/eye appointment and testing; substance use support; mental health support/community support; apply for Medicare/Medicaid/CHIP services; return home from ER; Veterans Affairs Services; pharmacy services; inoculation appointments
  • Employment: job interview; commute to/from work; pre-employment needs; technology acquisition
  • Food: grocery store; prepared/hot meals; food pantry/bank; SNAP/WIC benefits access
  • Economic stability: financial coaching/empowerment; tax preparation services; essential supplies (non-food); record obtainment (SSN, birth/death certificate, etc.); transportation services (DMV, car repair, etc.)
  • Legal: eviction court; court ordered community service; probation/parole check-in; court ordered education; commute to/from court proceedings/counsel; record expungement
  • Housing: accessing and maintaining benefits (vouchers, rental assistance, etc.); emergency shelter; utilities assistance
  • Education: enrollment; commute to/from school, class, daycare; guardian school engagement; library or internet access; technology acquisition

Clients:

  • Must be 18 years or older (unless accompanied by a parent/guardian)
  • Must comply with Lyft’s Health Safety Requirements
  • Must be able to get into and out of a car, on their own, and without assistance
  • Are able to use a maximum of six (6) rides (each trip counts as one ride, so a round-trip would be two rides)

Rides must be a reasonable distance (the average cost of a ride is $18.50, or approximately 8-10 miles). Any one-way ride over $20 requires a reason there is not a closer alternative and may be subject to supervisor approval. To get a fare estimate go to: Fare Estimate.

Rides should be used when no other resources are available and to overcome short-term barriers. Rides will be provided as long as funds are available.

 

Lyft Service Area*

Anthem Florence Lake Havasu City Phoenix Sun City Yuma
Apache Junction Fountain Hills Laveen Prescott Surprise
Casa Grande Gilbert Maricopa Safford Tempe
Cave Creek Glendale Mesa San Tan Valley Tuba City
Chandler Goodyear Oro Valley Scottsdale Tucson
Flagstaff Kingman Peoria Show Low Wickenburg

*Ride dispatching may occur in any major metro area covered by the participating 211 as long as there is adequate Lyft Driver supply. These cities listed have been designated as having adequate Lyft Driver supply.

 


211 Arizona and Arizona Public Service (APS) have partnered to offer rides to cooling centers, respite centers, and hydration station sites during Arizona’s hot summer months.

 

Transportation through this program is not appropriate if you are experiencing any symptoms of heat-related illness or other medical emergency. Warning signs and symptoms of heat-related illness are available on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.

If experiencing a medical emergency or any symptoms of heat-related illness, call 911 immediately.

Eligibility

Rides may be provided to:

  • Cooling Centers: Indoor, air-conditioned locations that offer hydration.
  • Respite Centers: Indoor, air-conditioned locations that offer hydration and allow for uninterrupted rest, sitting, or lying down (depending on each facility) during hours of operation.
  • Hydration Station Sites: Locations where individuals can go to receive bottled water and other collected donated items. These can be indoors or outdoors.

Clients:

  • Must be in a Lyft Service Area with a Cooling Center, Respite Center, or Hydration Station Site
  • Must be 18 years or older (unless accompanied by a parent/guardian)
  • Must be able to get into and out of a car, on their own, and without assistance
  • Must comply with Lyft’s Health Safety Commitment

Rides should be used when no other resources are available and to overcome short-term barriers. Rides will be provided as long as funds are available.


Do I need a cellphone to get a ride?

For Ride United †Flexible Rides, you will need a cellphone to receive the ride because you will get an SMS (text) confirming the ride when you book. If you don’t have any access to a mobile phone (or are landline only), we will not be able to send you a flexible ride.

Other types of Ride United rides are available if you have a cellphone without internet access or do not have a cellphone. These rides can be for an immediate need or scheduled for a specific time. You can call 1-800-836-LYFT to request these rides.

For heat relief transportation, you do not need a cellphone to get a ride.

What is a Flexible Ride?

For Ride United Flexible Rides, agents can send you a link that has all the ride and location information locked in, but you can hail the ride on your own within 24 hours of receiving the link. For a one-way ride, you would receive one link. For a round-trip ride, you would receive two separate links. For more information on Flexible Rides, click here.

Are there wheelchair accessible vehicles?

The platform used to dispatch rides does not have the ability to specify vehicles beyond a sedan or the options listed in the portal. Lyft does not yet have many drivers who have accessible vehicles. However, if you have a foldable wheelchair or other device that can fit in a traditional car (including trunk), we can of course use a ride for you. Similarly, if you have a carrier, car seat, or booster seat for your child that can be used in a traditional car, we can also use a ride for you, though you should bring your own car seat. A driver can decline to give a ride if a proper child seat is not provided by the passenger and is deemed unsafe.

Is it okay for a caregiver to ride along?

Yes. There is no additional cost to have a caregiver or caseworker ride along.

Are service animals allowed in vehicles?

Yes, service animals are allowed to accompany riders.

Please call the 211 Transportation Hotline directly at 1-855-345-6432 or dial 211 and select option 4 for transportation to schedule your ride!


Through a partnership with DoorDash and United Way Worldwide, Arizona agencies can now send supplies to clients through 211 Arizona. The service is free for both agencies and clients.

 

How It Works:
  • Local partners work with 211 Arizona to identify clients who need essential deliveries
  • 211 Arizona submits pick-up and drop-off information to DoorDash at agreed upon intervals via a secure online system to schedule deliveries.
  • DoorDash driver picks up multiple clients’ packages and makes contact-free deliveries to clients along an efficient route; drivers are paid at a normal rate.

 

Types of Items Eligible for Free Delivery

Clients receive the goods free of charge and do not pay delivery fees. Typical examples of items that can be delivered through this partnership include:

  •  Food boxes/bags
  • Senior supplies
  •  Pet/service animal food and supplies
  • Hygiene items/feminine care products
  •  Prepared/hot meals
  • Mental health kits/items
  • Emergency preparedness supplies, PPE, and COVID-19 testing supplies
  • Gift cards for clients to purchase essential items
  • School supplies (including educational items to support remote learning)
  • Special Thanksgiving/December Holiday items
  • Schoolwork/homework packets
  • Weather appropriate clothing/goods
  • Baby/infant supplies

 

How to Become a Partner Agency:
  1. Attend an Informational Session or review the PowerPoint presentation below. The Last Mile Delivery Presentation contains basic information about the program and constitutes the Informational Session. Once you have thoroughly reviewed the presentation, please email 211Transportation@solari-inc.org with the completed Sign-Up Form linked below and you will be contacted with next steps.
      • To register for a virtual session, send an email request to 211Transportation@solari-inc.org.
      • If you would like to review the information on your own, you can view the self-directed presentation below.
  1. After your agency has been vetted and approved by United Way Worldwide and DoorDash, you are ready to be onboarded!

Upon acknowledgement from the 211 Transportation Department that DoorDash has verified adequate DoorDash driver supply within the radius of your facility, you can sign up for a virtual Onboarding Session or view the self-directed Last Mile Delivery Acceptance and Set-Up Assistance Presentation below.

The Last Mile Delivery Acceptance and Set-Up Assistance Presentation contains further instructions for operationalizing the program and constitutes the Onboarding Session. Once you have thoroughly reviewed the presentation, please email 211Transportation@solari-inc.org with the completed Follow-Up Form linked below and any questions you may have. You will then be contacted with next steps.

  • To register for a virtual session, send an email request to 211Transportation@solari-inc.org.
  • If you would like to review the information on your own, you can view the self-directed presentation below.

 

Please call our 211 Transportation Department at 1-855-345-6432, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, or email us at 211Transportation@solari-inc.org to learn more and sign up!