Last year, Montana man Daniel Foley lost one of his friends in a car accident.
Foley’s friend, an elderly and disabled man, was on doctor’s orders not to drive. But he decided to go out on an errand anyway, and ended up in a head-on collision, losing his life, and killing a 32-year-old woman.
“My theory is that he was so desperate to get where he needed to go,” Foley told Good Good Good, “and he was so desperate for that freedom again.”
In the wake of his friend’s death, Foley — a former school bus driver, truck driver, and public bus driver, with over 12 years of professional experience in the Hamilton, Montana valley — started thinking about how to keep something like this from happening again.
“I was so frustrated because, heck, nobody is giving their time to other people. That's where it all started,” Foley said.
“I'm a Christian, and the church didn't help him. Other believers, friends didn't help him. Some did call him for moral support and stuff, and helped him move a little bit. But yeah, just nobody was giving any compassion to this poor guy, and I watched his whole life fall apart.”
So, Foley turned to God.
“I was like, God, how can I give compassion? How can I fix this? And then I just kept praying, and I was struggling really financially, and I got a few terrible bosses, and I said, ‘God, I want to work for you.’”
What emerged was Giddy-Up Rides, Foley’s own 24/7 taxi service for disabled and elderly neighbors — or anyone else who needs a safe, reliable ride.
“We’re a non-governmental service committed to fair pricing, ensuring no one is left stranded or priced out,” Foley writes on a GoFundMe campaign to build the initiative.
“This business isn't just a job for me — it's a heartfelt response to a devastating loss.”
For about a year now, Foley has been driving regular clients, with a need that seems to keep growing.
While taxis and ride share services aren’t exactly scarce in the area, Foley said “the reliability part” is the problem. He said he’s heard from other customers that they’ll call for a ride, only to be left stranded. One driver even reportedly showed up drunk to pick someone up.
“We don't have a transportation problem here,” Foley said. “We have a compassion problem.”
The people Foley serves are just looking to get around safely and feel like they have agency to go about their daily lives. Many of the clients he serves are veterans.
“It’s giving them their freedom back. They live in retirement homes, and some of them, it brings tears because they haven't been out in a long time — or at least had that choice for a long time,” Foley said. “But I'm trying to give that back.”
Right now, Foley is selling his own personal possessions to keep the operation afloat, though he recently launched his GoFundMe, with a goal of raising $10,000.
He hopes to hire some help and purchase a more accessible vehicle to better assist wheelchair users.
“I can give people rides on short notice, but it’s getting harder because more people want a ride,” he said. “But I’m only one man. That’s the whole reason why I started the GoFundMe; just so I can help grow it and spread the word that, ‘Hey, this is really good for the valley.’”
Those in need of a ride in Hamilton, Montana can call (406) 493-7779, and those who want to support Foley’s efforts can donate to his GoFundMe fundraiser.
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Header image courtesy of Daniel Foley/GoFundMe
