However, you can only ride paratransit if you quality under the Americans With Disabilities Act. You must prove you’re not able to ride public transportation for a viable reason.
Volunteer Transportation
As its name suggests, this type of transportation is entirely volunteer-run. It may be arranged by nationwide, state, or local organizations. Some are available to all senior adults. Others require you to be affiliated with whatever organization runs the transport service. Unfortunately, volunteer transportation is less common and not be available in your area.
Ride-Hailing Services
Ride-hailing services offer transportation on demand to and from locations you specify. Users can request a car or other vehicle via a website, mobile app, or telephone number. These have become increasingly popular over the years and vary in price depending on the company. Taxi services are generally the most expensive and ride-sharing services are usually the least expensive.
Shared Ride Options
Many ride-hailing services now offer carpooling options called ride-sharing, which in turn has produced specific shared ride companies. Though less prolific than ride-hailing services, shared-ride services are much more affordable.
However, what you save in money you’ll sacrifice in time and privacy since more stops are involved and you’ll always be sharing the vehicle with other passengers.
Assisted Transportation Services
These services don’t just give older adults a ride. Instead, they also help seniors to and from the vehicle and may stay with them for the duration of the outing. Many services now offer multi-stop options instead of simple origin-destination rides. Assisted transportation usually cost more than regular ride-hailing services, but also provide more security and assistance.
Some factors to consider when choosing a transportation option include your surrounding area, transportation budget, riding preferences, and personal needs. For example, taking a city bus may fall within your budget. However, it may not be able to accommodate your mobility device. It’s best to find an option that meets all of these criteria rather than just one or two.
Companies That Provide Transportation Services and Programs for Seniors
There are several transportation services and programs that have received increasing attention, especially for their service to older adults. Some are specifically geared toward seniors, while others are convenient for people of all ages.
Below is a list of a few of the most popular services that have good reputations for servicing riders. Pricing is listed in each option according to the financial information available from each company.
GoGoGrandparent
- This transportation and delivery service is tailored toward people who are 50+. Users can request medication, meals, ride, and more by text or telephone. Membership is $9.99/ month and concierge fees are $0.27/ minute, not including Lyft or Uber ride fares.
Veyo
- Veyo is a full-service transportation program that partners with health insurance agencies like Medicare and Medicaid to provide non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT). It is free to use through certain healthcare and insurance plans. Users can request trips via a telephone number or plan-specific website.
Right at Home
- Right at Home and Right at Home Transport are local care and transportation services for seniors living at home. Costs are billed hourly but may also be affected by the level of services required (medical vs. non-medical, etc.). Some services are covered by insurance and reimbursement programs.
SilverRide
- SilverRide is a door-to-door assisted ride service for seniors. They offer round-trip or multi-stop assisted rides. It operates in the San Francisco Bay and Kansas City areas. When users book a ride, they are quoted a price upfront. Prices are based on distance, time of day, and the selected accompaniment option.
Via
- This is a ride-sharing service that operates in New York, Chicago, and Washington, D.C. It boasts “guaranteed, low prices” for rides and quotes fares starting at under $5/ person. Groups of 5 or more are charged extra and the cost of tolls is distributed among the booking parties.
Liberty Mobility Now
- This is an aggregate transportation option that connects seniors in rural communities with rides. Liberty is a smaller company that only operates in seven states, but prides itself on going above and beyond for all riders, especially seniors. Users are charged a service fee per ride.
Lyft
- Lyft is a transportation service where users can request rides via the app or online. Ride costs vary based on the route, time of day, ride type, driver availability, traffic, and more. Prices are initially shown upfront when users enter a destination but can change if you switch your destination or add stops.
Uber
- Similar to Lyft, Uber is a transportation service where users request rides. After inputting a destination, users are presented with either an upfront price or an estimated fare range. Prices may change depending on busy your area is and if you add extra stops. Booking fees, tolls, and event surcharges may also apply.
These are just a few of the programs that operate over several areas, states, or nationwide. More than likely, there are also local options for senior transportation. If you search specifically for programs near you, you’re sure to find services. However, make sure to inquire about their pricing before booking any rides.
How To Save Money On Senior Transportation
Transportation costs will vary depending on the service you use. There are usually local, state, or even national programs that make it easy for seniors to find transportation. However, paying for transportation is another matter.
