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About us

Urban/Rural Rides is a community transportation service operated by volunteer drivers who are dedicated to bridging transportation gaps in both urban and rural communities in New Brunswick. 

As a registered charity, our mission is to provide safe, affordable, and reliable transportation solutions to seniors and low-income families. Roundtrip transportation services are offered primarily for medical appointments and access to food banks.

With Urban/Rural Rides, those in need can rely on our dependable transportation service that prioritizes their safety and well-being. We take pride in our commitment to meeting the diverse needs of our clients with compassion and efficiency.

Our Drivers

Every month we profile one of our Volunteer Drivers.
Find out more about these awesome individuals and why they volunteer to help those in need in our community!

Volunteer Driver Profile – Réginald Jalbert

Volunteer Driver Profile – Réginald Jalbert

My name is Réginald Jalbert and I am 80 years old and I am pleased to participate as a volunteer with Urban/Rural Rides. I moved to Grand Falls four years ago from Ontario and this gave me and occasion to learn about New Brunswick and meet a lot of nice people. ...

October 2024 |Jeffrey Carrier [Western Valley]

October 2024 |Jeffrey Carrier [Western Valley]

 Jeffrey Joseph (Governor) Bento-Carrier, 59, is based in his adopted hometown of Canterbury. A native of Gravel Hill, N.B. on the North Shore, he has been driving with us since August of 2023. Retired from Brunswick News, he now runs his own home-based media...

Volunteer Driver for the Month of September

Volunteer Driver for the Month of September

Lisa Wadup - [Shediac area] Hello, my name is Lisa and I became a volunteer driver with Urban Rural Rides because I love to take care of people and I love to drive! After working 41 years as a Research Nurse Coordinator in Neurology and Neurosurgery I missed my...

August 2024 Marcel Morin

August 2024 Marcel Morin

I have been a Volunteer Driver since January 2022.  I decided to join Urban Rural Rides to be helpful to a lot of people in need of transportation at first for medical reasons and then I have extended to any reason approved by our Ride Coordinator for...

JULY 2024 | CHRISTINE HUMPHREYS

JULY 2024 | CHRISTINE HUMPHREYS

My name is Christine and I first experienced Maritime life in university after which I returned to Toronto. After several years of living in the fast paced lifestyle of Toronto, I decided to move to Moncton permanently to have a better work/ life balance. The move to...

JUNE 2024 | MIRANDA SHEPPHARD

JUNE 2024 | MIRANDA SHEPPHARD

After moving to Shediac from Ontario 3 years ago, I had some free time on my hands and a desire to become a part of this community. I knew I wanted to volunteer but didn't know how. I can across an SOS looking for volunteer drivers for Urban Rides. It was an...

MAY 2024 | JEAN FRIGAULT

MAY 2024 | JEAN FRIGAULT

Hello,My name is Jean and I have been a resident of Moncton since the age of 6.After my retirement in June 2022, I was looking for a place to volunteer. I began my search at the South East Volunteer Center. Debbi introduced me to the Urban Rural Rides service and in...

APRIL 2024 | MONIQUE OUELLETTE

APRIL 2024 | MONIQUE OUELLETTE

I am surprised by this honor. I am a retired nurse and I love helping people live better. My role as a volunteer driver allows me to enjoy a rewarding retirement. I also keep busy as a knitter and transform wood into buttons and accessories. I also work as a mentor...

MARCH 2024 | GASTON JOLICOEUR

MARCH 2024 | GASTON JOLICOEUR

After retiring 2 years ago for the second time.  We moved back in NB. This time I decided to volunteer instead of keeping on working. I spend most of my life on the road, so being home full time allows me to be available to help. So I volunteer one day a week...

Our Board of Directors

James Brown

James (Jim) Brown
President

I am a licensed paramedic with 28 years experience and retired from the provincial ambulance service about 2 years ago. I am employed part-time at a private health care clinic in Dieppe NB, Medicalux Private Care. I provide all kinds of medical services with them, and I am responsible for managing their HCP (hearing conservation program). I travel all around our province and others in this capacity. I am also a hyperbaric oxygen therapy technician with them.

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I am involved with Saint John Ambulance and volunteer in all manners of what services they provide including: Instructor Trainer, First Aid & MFR instructor, CSUL (community service unit leader) of the Moncton 275 Brigade, member of the newly formed ERU Team (Emergency Response Unit), one of 25 federally regulated teams that respond to natural and man-made disasters. A Youth Group Leader with 15 years experience working with young people.
I am married to my wife Bea, of 22 years and have been friends for a great number of years prior. We both have 2 children each from previous marriages, and 5 grandchildren. We like to travel, tenting, hiking, enjoy our cats and ballroom dancing.
I was fortunate enough to be involved with one of the parent groups “Rural Rides” from the very beginning. Myself and several others were involved with the pilot amalgamation process that led to the successful formation of the current charitable organization “Urban/Rural Rides Inc.”
I am the current President of Urban/Rural Rides Inc and a volunteer driver. I work closely with our valued staff and sit on our Strategic Planning Committee/Bylaws Committee. I chair our Executive and Board meetings. I also enjoy meeting with other stakeholder groups and related conferences.
It is my greatest desire to see our services being established and provided for those communities still without affordable transportation and other transportation services to meet the demands of all New Brunswick.

Dave Gouthro

Dave Gouthro
Vice-President

DAVE GOUTHRO — Groupe Touchette, Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada
Non-Dealer, Wholesaler/Distributor
Markets: Wholesale
As distribution center manager for Groupe Touchette’s warehouse in Moncton, Dave serves in the company’s largest distribution center in Atlantic Canada. Always present and active in the building, Dave has built a strong diverse team of talented individuals.
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The Moncton facility consistently delivers strong safety metrics, strong sales volume and stands out as a leader in corporate social responsibility and community involvement. In 2022, Dave served as chairperson of the National Corporate Social Responsibility Committee, where he was able to increase community involvement and charitable giving nationally. For the past two years, he has been named to the Top 20 Leaders Under 40 by the local Chamber of Commerce relating to the Moncton facility and for his involvement with numerous charitable boards in the region. Dave is a foster parent turned adoptive parent who currently serves as Vice President to Urban Rural Rides a near province wide volunteer driver program, Chairperson to the SRS Regional Parent Teacher Association, Director for the Volunteer Center of Southeastern New Brunswick, Director for the Canadian National Institute for the Blind and Director for the Lions Club of Salisbury. Dave and his team over the last three years have contributed to multiple charities with a strong focus towards at risk youth & transportation, beginning a steal toe boot recycling program for youth entering the work force and raising over 5000 Christmas gifts for the children in the care of social service in the Greater Moncton Area.

Dave continually seeks to grow a platform of improving safety, inclusivity/diversity and corporate social responsibility within the industry.

Dan Matthews

Dan Matthews
Treasurer

A retired Meteorologist with 35 years of service with Environment Canada. Originating from Nova Scotia, he did his service in various locations in Canada before settling in Dorchester. Has an avid interest in volunteering and supporting his community. Dan Holds a position as Secretary of the Dorchester Lions Club.
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Aside from being a volunteer driver for Urban/Rural Rides, he serves as Treasurer on the board of directors.

He loves the interaction with the clients and has an opportunity to learn a lot of history and stories from this area as they travel to and from various appointments.

Diane Wilson

Diane Wilson
Secretary

Work: Retired. Volunteer at Salisbury Helping Hands, Inc. Food Bank and Urban/Rural Rides. Interests/hobbies: Enjoy travelling, crafts, reading.

I have been volunteering in the Secretary position of Urban/Rural Rides since 2019.

Kristin Shortt

Kirstin Shortt
Past-President

Founder of affordable transportation in Albert County, on executive committee for URR since its inception. Involved in all operational decisions and also part of the volunteer driver team. Passionate about our service and always trying to find new ways to ensure inclusiveness of people living in extremely rural areas, trying to find more ways to eliminate the hardship of isolation.
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Background, Information Science and Social Studies, Mayor of Alma for nine years on Council for fifteen plus years, member of executive Board for Hospice SENB, engaged in end-of-life care issues and coping with bereavement. Hobbies: travel, painting and writing, last published work “Flight into Dark Dawn”.
Normand Dupuis

Normand Dupuis
Board Member

Career in printing industry as management and sales for the past 50 years. Elected councillor for Memramcook Village in June 2021, which also requires the participation on several committees including one of which is for the past two years sitting on the Board of Directors for Rural Ride (attending meetings regularly, joining in with board discussions and offering ideas or opinions, voting on board matters, making motions).

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Previously volunteer for a nine year term on the Board of Directors of Foyer Saint-Thomas, 30 beds Licensed nursing home.

Family life with our 3 boys and 2 grandchildren has kept our family very involved in the sports environment. Presently playing pickleball myself is very enjoyable as a source of physical activity and socialization.

Gerald (Gerry) Forsythe
Board Member

Gerald (Gerry) Forsythe is a new board member to the Urban/Rural Rides organization.  A long-time Riverview resident, Gerry has always given back to his community.  After his retirement as a Commercial Sales Rep, he has volunteered much of his time with the Riverview Lions Club in various roles such as Secretary, President and Zone Chairperson with many roles in between.
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Even in his early days in The Valley of Nova Scotia where he was born and raised, he was an active member of the Kentville Fire Department and served in the West Nova Scotia Regiment. He and his late wife Evelyn moved to Riverview in 1971 where they raised their three children, two of which still reside in Riverview. Today, Gerry enjoys spending time with his grandsons playing crib, reading, and baking. Gerry enjoys helping others and is enjoying his time with Urban/Rural Rides.
Jason Gallant

Jason Gallant
Board Member

Jason joined the Board of Directors for Urban/Rural Rides in 2023. He is a devoted husband, dad of three adult children and a proud Grampie to one beautiful little girl.
Jason has had a lengthy career in the IT Industry and most recently holds the position of IT Manager for a leading Health Insurance Company in Moncton.
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In addition to his corporate career, he is also a Councillor for the Town of Salisbury and has been an active volunteer over the years. Jason is also a board member with the Volunteer Centre of Southeastern New Brunswick and with Touchstone Counselling Group.
His primary drive is to make a difference in any organization he’s a part of and is happy to be making a difference as a board member with Urban/Rural Rides.
Michelle Tupper
Michelle Tupy
Board Member

Michelle Tupy is originally from Australia and is currently the Chapter Director for Shelter Movers Greater Moncton.  She enjoys working with businesses and nonprofits to develop community relationships and believes that working together is the key to success.

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Urban/Rural Rides aligns with her beliefs, and she has enjoyed watching the organization grow in terms of processes and the areas that it covers. Accessibility should be afforded to every individual regardless of their circumstances.
Michelle Tupper

Heather Richards
Board Member

Executive Director of the Vestiaire St-Joseph Shediac Regional Food Bank

With over 35 years of experience in the not-for-profit sector, Heather has a passion for collaborating with her community to empower individuals to become the best version of themselves. 

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Heather is passionate about community and believes in the importance of the Urban and Rural Rides program as lack of transportation should not become a barrier to meeting one’s basic needs

Changing lives, One ride at a time

“They Make Me Feel Like I Matter“

Michael has been using Urban/Rural Rides for several years now. He has been dealing with a multitude of medical needs and relies on Urban/Rural Rides for his transportation into the city for his appointments.

“They are always kind when I interact with them – the drivers and the staff. They listen and are very helpful. The drivers are volunteers. They give up their time to make sure I get to my appointments. That makes me feel like I matter because someone is willing to give up their own time to help me. The benefit of this service goes well beyond the ride itself. I have a lot of health issues and I am in constant pain. However, when I am in the car having a friendly conversation with a driver, I am distracted in a way. I feel better. My pain is lower for a time because I am interacting with someone.” said Michael.

Michael is one of the many lives being changed one ride at a time. In addition to assisting people to get to their appointments, a friendly conversation, interaction with someone and knowing that they matter enough for someone to take the time to help them goes a long way to improving the lives of those without transportation who may be isolated from people and services.

One such story is a woman in Shediac who was diagnosed with terminal cancer and needed frequent transportation to the hospital for treatment. There is a shortage of volunteers in Shediac but, because of the seriousness of the need, a driver was brought in from another area to provide transportation to treatments.

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The two ladies became fast friends and as the client’s health worsened, the driver looked for ways to help. Eventually on a trip for treatment, the volunteer driver was told her new friend would not be leaving the hospital again and was admitted to palliative care. This was all happening while the provincial borders were closed due to COVID effectively cutting off the client’s family from visiting or assisting in any way. The amazing volunteer took it upon herself to visit the client in hospital regularly and to be her friend and comfort in her last days. The extra time and care the volunteer offered deeply touched the client and her family that was unable to be by her side.

Sometimes lack of transportation is not the only barrier to accessing services. One Wednesday in August, we received a letter in the mail from a senior lady living in a remote area with no phone or Internet, who needed a ride to the food bank. Our service requires 48 hours to book transportation and unfortunately the letter was received on the day she was asking for transportation.

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Further complicating the situation is the fact that her local foodbank is only open for 2 hours a week on Wednesday and we had already missed that window of time. Our ride coordinator tried to contact someone at the food bank to see if we could arrange to pick up food and deliver some to her as we were concerned about her having to wait another week to access food. She was unsuccessful.

The following Wednesday, a driver was out in that area for another ride and stopped in to check on this client and offer to take her to the food bank that afternoon. When the driver arrived at the home, the client did not answer the door but the driver could hear the radio on inside the house. The concern for the welfare of this client increased dramatically. After a conversation with the ride coordinator, it was decided to go ahead and do the other ride and then return to this client’s home to check on her again. If there was still no response, a call would be made for a wellness check. Thankfully, when the driver returned, the client answered the door. She had merely gone out for a walk. The driver took the client to the food bank to get supplies. We later received a letter of thanks from the food bank commending our driver and ride coordinator for going above and beyond to make sure this isolated senior had food.

thank you card

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