10,000 rides for senior auto transport service

Thelma Middleton of North Charleston has used ITN CharlestonTrident services for about two years.

Paid and volunteer drivers pick up Middleton, 73, from her home at the Horizon Village Apartments off near Spruill and Rivers Avenues and take her to appointments in Mount Pleasant and West Ashley. Without ITN, Independent Transportation Network, she would have a difficult time getting around town.

"I'm happy I'm a member of this," she said. "I love it more and more every year."

ITN CharlestonTrident, an affiliate of the national ITNAmerica, celebrated a milestone Monday. Middleton's ride to the Bi-Lo grocery store off Dorchester Road marked the 10,000th ride for the nonprofit automobile transportation service.

ITN CharlestonTrident was launched in the Lowcountry in November 2006.

Outside of Portland, Maine, where ITN America was founded 10 years ago, Charleston is the only other city to reach the 10,000-ride mark. The Charleston affiliate ITN CharlestonTrident serves Charleston, Dorchester and Berkeley counties 24 hours a day, seven days a week. There are nearly 300 member riders on ITN CharlestonTrident's roster. In order to use the service one must be member.

The CharlestonTrident affiliate charges a $35 annual membership fee, $4 pick-up charge and $1.40 per mile. No money is exchanged during the rides. Member riders have transportation accounts with ITN CharlestonTrident from which money is deducted.

ITNAmerica founder and CEO Katherine Freund was on hand to celebrate the Charleston affiliate's achievement.

"The greater Charleston area should be proud," she said.

Freund created ITN after a car accident severely injured her son, who was 3 at the time. The driver of the other vehicle was 84.

Freund said ITN "provides a sense of security" and independence for seniors who are 65 and older who can no longer provide their own transportation. ITN also serves adults at any age with a visual impairment that prevents driving.

"Many drive when they shouldn't," Freund said. "ITN is an effort to figure out how to take a model that is successful and support that model."

In order to improve and augment services, ITN CharlestonTrident needs funding and volunteers, Executive Director Jim Ledbetter said.

"That's a major component of future expansion," he said.

Lesley Crum of Summerville started volunteering with ITN CharlestonTrident several months ago after moving to the Lowcountry. While Crum looks for employment, it's been a great means for learning her way around Charleston. But it's also a way for Crum to give of her time.

"(The program) is wonderfully useful. Riders so appreciate it," she said. "I can't say enough positive things about it."

For more information on how to become a volunteer or a member rider, visit www.itncharlestontrident.org or call 225-2715.

Reach Jasiri Whipper at 937-5540 or jwhipper@postandcourier.com.