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You never age out of needing a reliable ride. From running errands to grabbing groceries, seniors and folks with disabilities have places to be. But when we can no longer drive on our own, getting around town gets complicated.
While popular apps like Uber and Lyft don't require a smartphone or app these days, they don't offer discounts or the kind of specialty care seniors may need.
Thankfully, there are many local and national alternatives out perfect for senior transportation.
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GoGoGrandparent offers ride services for seniors, as well as other senior care services like food, prescription and grocery delivery. GoGo can even connect you with home services like furniture assembly, dog walking, or snow shoveling.
GoGo offers different tiers of service, allowing you to pay monthly or annually. Prices range between $14.99 per month for quick access to the occasional ride all the way to $500 per month for full service care.
Image: GoGoGrandparent monthly rates as of publication
The right level of transportation service for you 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 1-855-464-6872 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 a fully licensed TNC operator focused on providing drivers trained to assist those with disabilities and provide lifesaving emergency procedures.
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.
Take a look at our top picks for phones for seniors.
Unfortunately, SilverRide isn't available nationwide and prices may vary. Las Vegas rates, for example come with a minimum $45.00 fee, alongside a $2.00 booking fee, plus $4.00 per mile.
SilverRide is available in these cities:
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.
Uber is taking action to make its ride-hailing platform accessible to a wider range of demographics, with a particular focus on seniors. Uber Central, a platform for businesses, has become a lifeline for care homes and senior centers, streamlining ride bookings. For seniors without smartphones, family members can now arrange Uber rides on their behalf, and medical providers can do the same through Uber Health. Seniors can book rides directly via the Uber website.
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:
Yes,Texas Medicaid pays for transportation through the Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (NEMT) service. Older adults can call their Medicaid caseworker for more information and help setting up a ride.
There are many free and private transportation services for seniors. To find one in your area call 211 or contact the Eldercare Locator, a public service of the US Administration on Aging, at 1-800-677-1116.
No, many senior ride services and senior ride-share services work fine with a landline. Popular services like Lyft and Uber allow users to call rides for others or access a web app to request service.
Yes! You'll just need to specify what kind of mobility device you use and most ride share services will match you with a driver and vehicle that works best.
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