St. Albans (October 27, 2026) – Lack of transportation to and from medical appointments continues to prevent Franklin and Grand Isle residents from getting the care they need when they need it. Northwestern Medical Center’s Community Health Needs Assessment points to lack of access to transportation as a barrier to care. Working to reduce those barriers is an important part of helping to provide exceptional care for our community. As a result, NMC has created a health care appointment fund in collaboration with our region’s public transit provider, Rural Community Transportation (RCT), to begin to address this need.
Community members who need a ride to one of the NMC campuses for a medial appointment and don’t have their own transportation may be eligible to receive a door-to-door ride, free of charge. To be eligible for this free ride, people must:
- Reside in Franklin or Grand Isle County
- Have an appointment for a medical, mental health, behavioral health, substance use treatment, or recovery-related appointment on one of NMC campuses (St. Albans or Enosburg),
- Not be covered by Medicaid, Older & Disabled (O&D) transportation funding, Recovery Rides, or another transportation resource, and
- Not be able to utilize available public transit fixed routes.
To schedule a ride, users call RCT directly and RCT staff will help determine eligibility. According to Population Health Manager Jessica Frost, “We are so excited to be able to offer a practical solution to what patients tell us is a challenge for them. RCT vehicles are already transporting people to NMC campuses regularly, this helps to maximize each trip and helps more people to get the care they need.”
Clinics and care providers located on or adjacent to NMC campuses in St. Albans and Enosburg are also included in this pilot project. In St. Albans, that includes any appointment with an NMC provider at the hospital main building, Cobblestone Health Commons, and Doctor’s Health Commons. Also covered are:
- Both NCSS locations on Fisher Pond Rd.,
- Northwestern Ophthalmology,
- All clinics at Doctor’s Office Commons: St. Albans Primary Care, Monarch Maples, NOTCH St. Albans, and UVMMC Dialysis.
- Northwestern Rehab Services at Branon’s Pool,
- SaVida,
- Hope & Recovery, and
- BAART
- Enosburg locations include: NMC Rehab Enosburg, Monarch Maples, NOTCH Enosburg and Cold Hollow Family Practice.
Patients should call RCT Dispatch at (802)748-8170 to request a ride and determine eligibility. Rides need to be scheduled 1-2 days in advance of an appointment to ensure driver availability, determine any mobility needs, and to coordinate with other riders.
Rural Community Transportation (RCT) is a nonprofit organization with a mission to improve lives in the communities it serves by providing fare free, accessible, and innovative public transportation services throughout Caledonia, Essex, Orleans, Lamoille, Franklin, and Grand Isle Counties of Vermont. For more information visit riderct.org
