Order 25596 - One Love One Heart Trans., Inc.: Authority to Operate as a Non-Emergency Medical Transportation Provider

DECISION AND ORDER

Hearing Officer:         Nicole M. Corbin, Esq.

Hearing Held:             January 5, 2026

Appearances:               One Love One Heart Transportation, Inc., Applicant

Robert Cabral, president/director

I.              INTRODUCTION

II.           JURISDICTION

III.        DISCUSSION

R.I. Gen. Laws § 39-14.3-3 requires that an applicant be fit, willing, and able to provide services in the transportation of passengers to obtain a certificate of operating authority from the Division. One Love One Heart Transportation, Inc. is a foreign corporation duly organized under the laws of the State of Rhode Island, registered to do business in the State of Rhode Island, and is in good standing with the Rhode Island Office of the Secretary of State as of the date of this Decision and Order.

Mr. Robert Cabral, president and director of One Love One Heart Transportation, Inc., testified on behalf of the Applicant. In his opening statement, Mr. Cabral stated that he owned and operated Ash Away Hearth and Chimney in Massachusetts for over thirty years where he oversaw twenty-eight employees and generated $4 million in sales. He also stated that he has customer service experience from previous employment as a store manager at Brooks Pharmacy and CVS Pharmacy.

Mr. Cabral started a NEMT business in Massachusetts in February 2022 with his former partner. He served as general manager of this business for three years until the relationship ended. Mr. Cabral shared that the business utilized six vehicles and generated $300,000 in revenue in its second year. His former partner continued the business and Mr. Cabral decided to start a NEMT business in a different area.

In 2025, Mr. Cabral founded One Love One Heart Transportation, Inc. in Massachusetts and is now seeking to expand operations in Rhode Island. He is responsible for administration, leadership, and serves as an occasional driver when necessary. Mr. Cabral also indicated that he is trained to provide wheelchair transportation training.

Currently, the company has two transportation contracts in Massachusetts and employs seven drivers. Mr. Cabral explained that each driver receives passenger safety and sensitivity training through the National Safety Council and is trained in CPR. In addition, Mr. Cabral ensures that background criminal investigation checks and drug tests are conducted for each employee. The company uses three vehicles for NEMT services and Mr. Cabral indicated that he is planning to purchase two additional vehicles.

The record in this docket establishes that Mr. Cabral was charged with three felonies in 2007, which were dismissed. When questioned about these charges, Mr. Cabral was forthcoming in his responses and stated that these three charges stemmed from a singular incident with his brother-in-law. Given that these charges occurred nearly twenty years ago, did not result in a conviction, and Mr. Cabral’s candor during questioning, the Division does not consider these charges in assessing the Applicant’s fitness to operate as a NEMT provider. Moreover, Mr. Cabral’s Massachusetts Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) check shows no criminal charges since that time.

Upon cross-examination, Mr. Cabral shared that he recently received a traffic citation for speeding in a school zone in East Providence, Rhode Island. At the end of the hearing, Mr. Cabral made a closing statement that he takes his job and customer service very seriously.

IV.        FINDINGS OF FACT

1.      On or about December 9, 2025, the Applicant filed an application with the Division seeking a certificate of operating authority to operate as an NEMT service provider pursuant to R.I. Gen. Laws §§ 39-14.3 et seq.

2.      A hearing was held on January 5, 2026, in the Division’s offices located at 89 Jefferson Boulevard, Warwick. The Applicant was not represented by counsel.

3.      One Love One Heart Transportation, Inc. is a foreign corporation duly organized under the laws of the State of Rhode Island and is in good standing with the Rhode Island Office of the Secretary of State as of the date of this Decision and Order.

4.      Mr. Cabral is the only member of One Love One Heart Transportation, Inc.

5.      Mr. Cabral has four years of experience operating NEMT businesses in Massachusetts.

6.      Mr. Cabral has been operating One Love One Heart Transportation, Inc. in Massachusetts, providing NEMT services, for one year.

7.      Mr. Cabral is responsible for administration, leadership, and occasional driving services for the Applicant.

8.      The Applicant employs seven drivers and utilizes three vehicles.

9.      Mr. Cabral operated Ash Away Hearth and Chimney in Massachusetts for thirty years.

10.  Mr. Cabral has customer service experience as a store manager for Brooks Pharmacy and CVS Pharmacy.

11.  Mr. Cabral received a traffic citation for speeding in a school zone in East Providence, Rhode Island. He has no other history of traffic violations within the last six years.

12.  Mr. Cabral’s Massachusetts Criminal Offender Record Information check contains no Massachusetts criminal convictions or any other information that would adversely impact the Applicant’s ability to provide NEMT services under the requested certificate of operating authority.

V.           CONCLUSIONS OF LAW

After a careful review of the record in this proceeding, the Division finds that the Applicant has met the burden of proving that it is fit, willing, and able to provide the requested transportation services.

Accordingly, it is

1.      The application of One Love One Heart Transportation, Inc., 102 Davis Road, Westport, Massachusetts 02790, seeking authority to operate as an NEMT service provider within the State of Rhode Island is approved.

2.      Within one hundred eighty (180) calendar days of the effective date of this Report and Order, and before commencing operations within the State of Rhode Island, the Applicant must accomplish the following: 

a.       The Applicant must hand deliver to the Division proof of financial responsibility (liability insurance) that conforms to the minimum insurance requirements set forth in R.I. Gen. Laws § 39-14.3-8.

b.      The Applicant must register the vehicle(s) it intends to operate under its NEMT Certificate of Operating Authority with the Motor Carrier Section of the Division of Public Utilities and Carriers. Each vehicle must be appropriately marked in accordance with the provisions of R.I. Gen. Laws § 39-14.3-6.

c.       The Applicant is reminded that it is responsible for ensuring that all its drivers obtain a valid “Blue Card” (Hackney Operator’s Permit) from the Motor Carrier Section of the Division. 

d.      In addition, the Applicant is reminded that it must comply with the provisions of R.I. Gen. Laws § 39-14.3-5, which confers upon the Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles jurisdiction over the lighting, equipment, safety, and sanitary conditions of all public motor vehicles. An inspection by the Division of Motor Vehicles is required before these vehicles may be operated within Rhode Island.

3.      If the conditions set forth in paragraph 2, above, are not met within one hundred eighty (180) calendar days from the issuance date of this Decision and Order, the approval granted herein will be of no further force and effect.

SIGNED AND EFFECTIVE, THIS 29th day of January 2026.

NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY OF JUDICIAL REVIEW

(PROVIDED PURSUANT TO R.I.G.L. § 42-35-12)

Please be advised that if you are aggrieved by this final decision (report and order) of the Rhode Island Division of Public Utilities and Carriers (“Division”) you may seek judicial review of the Division’s final decision by filing an appeal with the Rhode Island Superior Court.  You have thirty (30) days from the mailing date (or hand delivery date) of the Division’s final decision to file your appeal.  The procedures for filing the appeal are set forth in Rhode Island General Laws, Section 42-35-15.

Proceedings for review may be instituted by filing a complaint in the Superior Court of Providence or Kent Counties.  Copies of the complaint must be served upon the Division and all other parties of record in your case.  You must serve copies of the complaint within ten (10) days after your complaint is filed with the Superior Court.

Please be advised that the filing of a complaint (appeal) with the Superior Court does not itself stay enforcement of the Division’s final decision. You may, however, seek a stay from the Division and/or from the Court.

The judicial review shall be conducted by the Superior Court without a jury and shall be confined to the record.  The Court, upon request, shall hear oral argument and receive written briefs.