What is a trip manifest?

A trip manifest is the driver's schedule for a shift: every assigned trip in sequence, with rider name, pickup and drop-off addresses, scheduled times, level of service, mobility equipment, escort or attendant notes, and any special instructions such as gate codes or oxygen. Manifests were once printed; today they live in the driver app and update in real time as dispatch makes changes.

Why manifests matter for NEMT

A clean manifest is the difference between a driver who arrives prepared and one who calls dispatch from the curb. Manifests that carry rider-specific notes (wheelchair type, stairs, preferred door) reduce dwell time and complaints. They are also the source document for billing: every trip on the manifest should close with a status, a signature and GPS data, and every closed trip should become a claim.