CommUnity Rides
Connecting Our Community, One Ride at a Time
CommUnity Rides is a community transport initiative developed by COLAB to improve access to essential services for people living throughout the Te Puke and Maketu wards. Reliable transport is something many people rarely think about, but for others it can be one of the biggest barriers to staying healthy, connected, and independent. Without affordable and accessible transport, everyday activities such as attending medical appointments, collecting prescriptions, shopping for groceries, getting to work or education, or participating in community life can become difficult or impossible.
In 2024, COLAB undertook a series of community engagement initiatives to better understand the challenges people were experiencing. Residents consistently identified transport as a significant issue, particularly for older adults, people with disabilities, rangatahi, immigrants, and those living in rural communities. Many shared stories of missed appointments, limited transport choices, expensive taxi fares, and the isolation created by not being able to travel when needed.
These conversations led directly to the creation of CommUnity Rides.
Today, our volunteer drivers provide friendly, reliable transport to a wide range of essential destinations, including:
• Medical and hauora appointments
• Hospitals and specialist clinics
• Pharmacies
• Supermarkets
• MSD appointments
• Pathlab services
• Mental health and wellbeing services
• Other essential community services
Our service is about far more than getting from one place to another. Every journey helps reduce isolation, supports independence, and strengthens connections within our community.