Ride With Me

Transit ride with headline Ride With Me

GPCOG and PACTS have been working to advance the inclusion of underrepresented communities in shaping the region's transportation system. In 2019, GPCOG developed and piloted the Community Transportation Leaders (CTL) Program. The program supports participants to gain the knowledge and tools needed for meaningful participation in transportation planning and the decision-making process. 

The idea of the Ride With Me event was born out of a CTL presentation to the PACTS Executive Committee which included CTL members' concerns about the regional transportation system and ideas for solutions. When PACTS Executive Committee members asked how they could help, one response suggested it might be helpful for decision-makers to ride with CTL members from a specific start point (origin) to a specific end point (destination) to experience the challenges and barriers that people who depend on public transportation face. 

The event goals are to:

  • Empower people with lived experience of transportation barriers to share their experience, perspectives, and ideas with decision-makers.
  • Enable decision-makers to get first-hand insight into the challenges experienced by community members with transportation barriers.
  • Raise awareness in the region about transportation challenges and solutions.

The event will take place between March 21 – April 1, 2022. The timeline is flexible to accommodate rider and decision-maker schedules.

Rider

Who We're Looking For

Community members with transportation barriers. Transportation Barriers can include:

  • Inaccessible walks to bus stops or train stations for people with disabilities 
  • Language barrier 
  • Long, unsafe and/or confusing commute or trip 
  • Other difficulties that make your transit trip difficult     

What It Entails

Riders will be compensated for their participation and will have the opportunity to speak directly to the people who make decisions about the transportation system. The event will be approximately 3 hours total: 

  • ½ - 1 hour for trip preparation with a GPCOG staff member 
  • ½ -2 hours for paired ride 
  • ½ - 1 hour for post-trip conversation   

How to Sign Up

To sign up to ride with a decision-maker or to learn more, contact Marcel Ntagora mntagora@gpcog.org.  

Decision-Maker

Who We're Looking For 

Decision-makers hoping to learn more about how our current transportation system serves people with barriers.     

What It Entails

Get a first-hand look into how our transportation system works for the most vulnerable users. The event will be approximately 2 hours total:

  • ½ -2 hours for paired ride 
  • ½ - 1 hour for post-trip conversation 

How to Sign Up

To sign up to ride with a community member or to learn more, contact Marcel Ntagora mntagora@gpcog.org.