Extending the Reach of Independence: Wispact Foundation Supports Door-Tran’s Accessible Transportation Services
For many people living in Door County, transportation is more than a convenience—it’s a lifeline. Door-Tran, a nonprofit transportation network based in Sturgeon Bay, is on a mission to connect community members with affordable, accessible rides. With the help of a Wispact Foundation Legacy Grant, Door-Tran continues to bridge transportation gaps for individuals with disabilities and limited mobility across the region.
Founded in 2008, Door-Tran offers a range of creative solutions, including volunteer driver programs, vehicle repair and purchase loans, and—most impactfully—its Half-Price Travel Voucher Program. This service enables individuals with qualifying disabilities to pay just half the fare for taxi rides or other forms of transportation.
“The affordability piece is huge,” explains Executive Director Nikki Voight. “We have people spending $180 just to get from Algoma to Sturgeon Bay for a medical appointment. These vouchers make that possible.”
The program supports partnerships across the peninsula and surrounding areas. Organizations including Door County Medical Center, Door Cancer, Inc., and the local domestic violence shelter, HELP of Door County, collaborate with Door-Tran to ensure their clients can get to treatments, appointments, or safe havens without prohibitive costs. For example, the Washington Island Community Health Program (WICHP) assists with empowering individuals from the island to access vital services from the mainland through Door-Tran’s discount program for the Washington Island Ferry.
Door-Tran’s services are often used in critical moments—like helping someone in a wheelchair get to a family funeral or making it possible for a person with a disability to attend a Packers game, a dream they never thought possible. These stories are powerful reminders that transportation is about more than logistics—it’s about quality of life.
“Our services are hands-on. We’re transportation social workers,” says Program Coordinator Evonne LaCrosse. “We connect people not just to a ride, but to independence.”
The grant from Wispact Foundation also plays a vital role in unlocking matching federal funds. “Without local contributions like Wispact’s, we wouldn’t be able to draw down the Department of Transportation funding,” Nikki adds. “Every dollar you give locally multiplies.”
How can community members support Door-Tran? In many ways: volunteering as drivers, spreading the word, making a donation, or simply learning about the services before they’re needed. As Nikki puts it: “Know us before you need us.”
To learn more, visit www.door-tran.org or follow Door-Tran on Facebook. Together, we can help keep Door County connected—one ride at a time.