In the HBS case, we use nurses and social workers to determine if women are eligible to use our transportation service. Since the staff of HBS transportation is not medically qualified to determine pregnancy status, it would not be fair to deny or offer services without proper screening. The other eligibility component is income level and assessment of the transportation challenge. In the HBS case, this is done by the social work staff that can enroll Medicaid applicants and make home visits. Once relationships are developed on the ground level a more traditional marketing effort can take place.
Some traditional methods are newspapers, television and radio.
These are also the most expensive, if purchased in the traditional method. Other less expensive ways to use this medium are the issuing of press releases and contributing transportation to the company's annual benefits and functions such as a charity event, company picnic or other local events where transportation is needed. Other less traditional methods to reach potential riders are visiting community groups at monthly meetings and posting flyers and pamphlets in permitted areas. Perhaps the most overlooked method is the vehicles themselves. The word of mouth factor in the community is perhaps the single most important factor in the success of an operation.