Since 1972 CARE-A-VAN has been a pioneer in co-ordinating transportation services, combining more than two dozen funding sources to avoid duplication of administration, personnel, and equipment. Twenty-seven vehicles provide about 155,000 trips annually. SAINT was established as a pilot project for the city of Fort Collins, Colorado, in 1983 to recruit volunteers who used their own cars to provide economical transportation for senior or disabled residents. Administrative costs caused the volunteer system to operate at a significantly higher cost per trip than the private non-profit CARE-A-VAN system. Disappointed supporters withdrew dollars shifted to SAINT without restoring them to the professional system. In January 1988, SAINT became a volunteer division of CARE-A-VAN. Co-operation replaced competition. In the first year, rides increased by 26% (to 10,464), donations increased, emphasis shifted from survival to quality of service and the benefits of co-ordination were demonstrated.
Abstract