Nonemergency transport services help people of all ages

This story is featured in the Feb. 25, 2026 edition of Healthy Living. Click here to read the whole section. Nonemergency transportation services are a growing need for senior citizens, those without cars or drivers' licenses and those who have no one to ask for a favor. Without these services, health declines, basic needs are unavailable and quality of life decreases. Washington County has several services to meet the needs its community yearns for while being reliable, personable and safe — especially in cold weather. SEAT SEAT is a nonemergency transportation system for people of all ages insured by TennCare. The organization also provides the option of self-pay. The group started with one car in 2020 and has grown at an unexpected rate since then. It now has eight vehicles and seven drivers, including owner Lisa Storey-Williams. "We go within a 250 to 300-mile radius within this location," Storey-Williams said. "All drivers are certified and vetted before they are even inside of the car." Anywhere from 50 to 80 people are transported daily, totaling to 100 to 300 trips a day. The organization is here to serve the community, Storey-Williams added. "We give them the comfort of knowing that we're going to be there," she said. "We have more of a customer service than just a service." SEAT operates from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. with last rides at 4:30 p.m. Individuals can call the organization directly at 423-268-8685 or reserve a ride through their insurance company. They can also contact SEAT for a round-trip cost estimate without insurance. The organization does not provide wheelchair accessible transportation. MyRideTN Jonesborough MyRideTN transports people aged 60 and older and relies on volunteers. It provides rides to medical and dental appointments and grocery stores. Since the organization started in 2018, it has logged 11,000 rides, 8,700 volunteer hours, 108,000 miles driven and 217 clients served by 90 volunteers. "The success of this program is because of the volunteers," Coordinator Susan Katko said. She said sometimes they serve people who haven't been in contact with anyone for weeks. "These drivers do a lot more than just drive them," Katko added. "They help them replace light bulbs so they don't fall, they plunge toilets…one couple took a lady out for a pedicure because she had talked about how she hadn't had one in years." There are currently 41 volunteers, but Katko is always searching for more. "The most important thing is they have to have a servant's heart," she said. Individuals can request rides through an online portal. Memberships are $20 a year. The first ride is free and the following rides have a cost. Riders must be residents of Jonesborough. A three-business day notice is also required. Wheelchair transportation is not available. Grants from United Way and personal donations help fund riders who can't afford to pay. People can donate by contacting Katko at 423-788-4770 or visiting the Jonesborough Senior Center. People interested in volunteering can also contact Katko. EnclaveJoy Ride EnclaveJoy Ride transports people of all ages and provides limited wheelchair accessible services. It serves Johnson City, Kingsport, Greeneville, Elizabethton and Bristol and brings individuals as far as Nashville. The owner, Fretz Bentlan, said there is a need for the service within the communities they reach. He said both insurance and self-pay are accepted. The organization's seven cars mostly transport people for medical purposes, but they also provide rides to grocery stores. Individuals can make an appointment at enclavejoy.com or by calling 423-444-7266.