Route Transportation for People Served by NCSI

You can download a PDF description of Newtrax’s services here.

Newtrax provides curb-to-curb service. All of the people they transport are vulnerable adults and many are medically fragile. While the drivers will assist people on and off the vehicles, they may not leave vehicles unattended; therefore, when required, someone from the home will need to escort a person between the home and vehicle. Your assistance in this area will help the drivers get everyone back and forth safely and on time.

Newtrax drivers will wait up to 3 minutes past the scheduled pick-up time, at which point the driver must continue on to the next stop. To honor the scheduled pick-up time of each person on a route, please be ready to board the vehicle at your scheduled time. Once the driver has departed, Newtrax cannot return at a later time that morning and the person will need to be transported to NCSI by someone from the home.

Newtrax drivers will not leave a residence until they have confirmed that the person either is with a caregiver or is in the home. Please be prepared for the person’s arrival at the scheduled drop-off time. If a caregiver is not present, or the person cannot gain access to the home, drivers will bring the person back to NCSI and staff will call the home to have someone pick them up.

Pick-up and drop-off times may fluctuate both ways (earlier and later) as more people join/return to NCSI, because some people on the route may be on a partial-week schedule, if there are rider absences, if there are delays in boarding/de-boarding, and due to road construction, traffic, road conditions and weather.

In the winter, please ensure all driveways and walkways are clear of snow and ice.

In cold weather, please ensure the rider is wearing (or has packed) a hat, scarf, and mittens/gloves.

Contact Newtrax, Inc. directly at 651-789-6221 or Routes@newtrax.org with the person’s name, route number, and date(s) and time(s) for which the ride(s) is/are to be canceled (messages can be left 24 hours a day).

All drivers undergo a background check, motor vehicle registration screening, drug and alcohol testing, and ongoing training. Driver training includes defensive driving by a certified driving instructor, abuse prevention, and certification in CPR and first aid. Additionally, drivers are linked to a dispatcher via a “hands-free” GPS link for constant communication and emergency response.

Once certified, Metro Mobility riders are eligible for two years and then need to apply to be re-certified. This process can take several weeks, so please note the expiration date on your Metro Mobility I.D. Card and plan accordingly.

Permanent changes to Metro Mobility Standing Orders must be made in writing using the Standing Order Change form and take at least two weeks to process; you may request a standing order change no more than four times per year and there must be 45 days between change requests.

NCSI is a resource to help you with Metro Mobility re-certifications, Standing Orders, and payment options/arrangements; please contact Jennifer Freeburg at 651-636-3343 ext. 101 or Jennifer.Freeburg@NCSIdaysupports.org.

People who use Metro Mobility for their route transportation to/from NCSI are responsible for making any ride cancellations; based on the zone you ride in, call one of the following numbers and be prepared to give the customer service representative your ADA Certification Number:

East Zone: 651-602-1120

South Zone: 651-602-1180

West Zone: 651-602-1100

If you are transported to/from NCSI by a family member or personal care assistant and will be absent on a particular day, please notify NCSI staff at 651-636-8050.

Important Reminders:

All people who use private transportation to/from NCSI must enter and exit through our Business Office on the East side of the building.

Arrival time is no earlier than 9:30 a.m. and departure time is no later than 3:00 p.m.

When you arrive, please wear a mask and be prepared to have your temperature taken with a no-contact thermometer and recorded.

People who get dropped off and/or picked up using private transportation must be signed in and signed out by a responsible party at the NCSI front desk.

Download a PDF copy of NCSI’s Severe Winter Weather Information here. Please be advised of the following general information about how the services of Northeast Contemporary Services, Inc. (NCSI) could be impacted by severe winter weather:

If NCSI closes the program due to the weather, NCSI staff members will call each person served’s residence once the decision is made. In addition, the closing will be posted online at http://minnesota.cbslocal.com/school-closings/.

If NCSI is open for program and you decide not to attend, please cancel your rides directly with the appropriate transportation provider (Newtrax or Metro Mobility) as early as possible; early cancellations will allow for routes to be revised and will eliminate unnecessary trips for the drivers.

If NCSI is open and driving conditions are demanding and/or traffic is heavy, please expect delays in the vehicle routes. If you need information about the status of a route, please contact the appropriate transportation provider (Newtrax or Metro Mobility) directly.