Neighbors Driving Neighbors expands to Readfield

MOUNT VERNON – Neighbors Driving Neighbors has added Readfield to its coverage area, with a plan to initiate service in the spring.
NDN is a nonprofit organization that matches volunteer drivers with those who do not drive and need transportation for appointments, errands and more. The coverage area, aside from Readfield, comprises Belgrade, Fayette, Mount Vernon, Rome, and Vienna, where 40 volunteer drivers provide rides to 58 registered riders.
“We’ve been admiring the value NDN delivers to its service-area communities and look forward to a successful launch over the next several months,” Readfield Town Manager Eric Dyer said. “This is an important piece of the puzzle for communities like ours with close proximity to service centers, but limited transportation options.”
NDN is recruiting an initial group of drivers and riders in Readfield. The organization will schedule training sessions for prospective drivers and conduct intake interviews of residents who are looking for rides, Joe Austin, NDN executive director, said.
Harald Bredesen, NDN president, said that the organization and Readfield have been talking about a collaboration for more than a year, and are thrilled that it’s going to happen.
Bredesen said NDN volunteer drivers have driven more than 100,000 miles to help more than 180 different riders get to where they need to go since it began in 2015.
“The heart of NDN is the volunteer driver,” Bredesen said. “It is that community spirit that makes NDN possible and that makes Readfield a natural next step. What better way to mark the 100,000th mile than to invite the neighbors.”
For more information visit neighborsdrivingneighbors.org.