COATESVILLE, PA — A new transportation initiative is rolling out across Greater Coatesville with a simple goal: make getting to health care easier, cheaper, and more reliable for residents who need it most.
The Transportation Management Association of Chester County and the Equity Health Center have launched Ride for Health, a program that provides free Coatesville Link bus passes to eligible individuals traveling to medical appointments and essential social services along the route. The initiative is designed for people who live, work, or receive services in the Coatesville area and whose providers participate in the Ride for Health Alliance network.
Officials said the program addresses a persistent but often overlooked barrier to care: transportation costs.
The Coatesville Link is open to the public and operates Monday through Saturday, connecting riders to major destinations including Brandywine Medical Center, the Coatesville VA Medical Center, the Coatesville YMCA, Parkesburg and Coatesville Amtrak stations, grocery stores, and connections to SEPTA Route 135.
Tim Phelps, executive director of TMACC, said the partnership grew out of conversations revealing that even modest transit fares can prevent people from attending appointments, especially those without access to a car. He said Ride for Health is intended to remove both logistical and financial obstacles that lead to missed care.
Under the program, individuals ask their health care or social service provider whether they participate in Ride for Health. Providers then coordinate with TMACC to load free rides onto a reloadable Coatesville Link fare card using TMACC’s electronic ticketing system, ModeShift. The system functions similarly to a SEPTA Key card and can be accessed via a physical card or mobile phone app. While medical trips covered by the program are free, riders can also add personal funds to the same card for other travel needs.
Moira Gassenmeyer, integrated health director for the Alliance for Health Equity and Equity Health Center coordinator, said reliable transportation plays a direct role in better health outcomes. She said the program helps reduce missed appointments, improves follow-up care, and gives patients more control over managing their health.
Ride for Health is funded through federal American Rescue Plan Act dollars through 2026, with additional support from Chester County, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and local municipalities. TMACC said partner agencies and other organizations may also purchase fares to distribute to employees or clients who need transportation assistance.
Phelps said the broader aim of the program is equity, noting that mobility should not determine whether someone can access care. He said Ride for Health gives residents a practical tool to stay connected to medical services and community resources while strengthening the region as a whole.
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