Best Transportation and Ride Share Programs for Seniors

Transportation is a big part of feeling independent as we age, especially when we can no longer drive. Getting to and from doctor’s appointments or the senior center, visiting grandkids, and going shopping without relying on family members can give us a feeling of freedom in our golden years.

There are many options when it comes to senior transportation. While many are location-based, here are some services and resources you can use to find the best transportation for seniors beyond rides-hailing services Uber and Lyft, which are just starting to cater specifically to seniors.

GoGo offers ride services for seniors, as well as other senior services, like food, prescription and grocery delivery, and even help to get home repairs.

To sign up, the first step is to fill out the GoGo form online. Memberships cost $125 to $4,920 per year. The price depends on how many rides you need and what type of extra services you want. When signing up, make sure to check off the boxes under the Additional Information section to let them know if there are any special accommodation requirements.

All you need to do to get a GoGo ride is call the service at 1-855-436-6872 and listen to the menu for options. After the request is made, the service will tell you the name of your driver, what type of car they will be driving and when they will arrive. Once the driver is near, the service will give you a call to let you know.

SilverRide is another rideshare service for seniors. It focuses on providing drivers trained to assist those with disabilities and provide lifesaving emergency procedures. Right now, SilverRide is available in San Francisco, Dallas, Louisville, Kansas City, Orlando, Phoenix, Los Angeles, and Seattle.

Getting a ride is easy. You can call 1-800-618-1246 or fill out the SilverRide reservation form. Then, you can choose your driver by how much you want to pay for your ride.

Through the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), those with disabilities may qualify for paratransit services in their area if you can’t ride public transportation.

There are no limits to how many curb-to-curb trips you can take in a day, but this senior transportation program isn’t free. You have to pay, but legally, the service can’t charge more than twice what a bus or subway charges in your area.

Contact your local Area Agencies on Aging to find out how to qualify for this service. You can reach them by visiting Eldercare.gov or calling 1-800-677-1116.

Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (NEMT) is a free senior transportation service provided by Medicaid. It covers healthcare-related transportation needs, like trips to medical appointments, the dentist's office, or drug stores using the local bus, train or taxi services. Details vary depending on your needs and the state you live in.

To get a ride, call your medical health plan’s transportation number, or call your Medicaid caseworker for help setting up your first ride.

Arrive Rides is a membership ride service that works as a middleman for your local rideshare businesses. You sign up on its site for $10 per month plus rideshare fees. Then you call when you need a ride. Arrive Rides’ customer service reps find a ride and send them to you.

The biggest advantage of this transportation program is there’s no app to mess with. You call them, and they do the rest. The biggest downside is that the service is available only between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. Pacific time. If you have early doctor's appointments or breakfast dates, this service just won’t work.

There are several ways to find free and low-cost transportation providers and additional resources for seniors in your area:

• Use this handy search tool on Google Maps.
• Call 211 for assistance.
• Call the Eldercare Locator, a public service of the US Administration on Aging, at 1-800-677-1116.
• Contact your local transportation department.

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