Articles

Transportation Resources

As the Parish Nurse, one of the most frequent questions I get asked is, “Who can help with transportation for seniors?” This is a major concern, as 90% of older people remain in their homes and communities, and 600,000 older adults stop driving each year. When older people stop driving, access to reliable transportation services becomes essential to maintaining their independence. As people age and medical conditions arise, transportation becomes an even bigger problem. Unfortunately, a lack of safe, accessible, and reliable senior transportation is a barrier to completing tasks such as shopping, healthcare appointments, and social functions, and it puts seniors at risk of social isolation.

To help with this concern, I have put together a transportation resource list for your reference:

  • Enlist the help of family and friends: Ask for help if you will no longer be driving. If your friends or family members work, discuss the best times to make appointments. (If you have a parent who is unable to drive, offer to help!)
  • Volunteer Transportation Services and Community Volunteer Organizations:
    • Shelby Township Senior Citizen Transportation (586-739-7540; Monday to Friday, 9 AM to 4:30 PM): This organization serves Shelby Township and Utica residents who are at least 50 years old or are permanently disabled. Buses are equipped with wheelchair lifts. Dialysis and therapy appointments may be booked in advance for the full treatment schedule. One ticket (50¢) is required each way and can be purchased at the Shelby Senior Center.
    • Richmond Lenox EMS Community Transit Smart Ride (586-749-7713; 844-666-5652 toll-free; Monday to Friday, 7 AM to 7 PM; Saturday, 9 AM to 1 PM): Richmond Lenox partnered with SMART Bus to provide transportation for medical appointments and procedures, banking, nutritional trips, personal business, and trips to Detroit Metro airport. Transportation services include the general public, older adults, people with disabilities, and residents who are unable to drive to their jobs. This service is only offered to the following North Macomb communities: Macomb Township, Richmond City and Twp., Lenox Township, New Haven, Armada Village and Twp., Memphis, Chesterfield Twp., New Baltimore, and Ray Twp. Rides may be scheduled six weeks in advance and are on a first-come, first-served basis. Vans are wheelchair-accessible, and drivers are CPR- and first-aid certified. Free transportation to and from the airport is available Monday through Saturday (first pickup at 5 AM; last pickup at 7 PM; last drop-off at 9:30 PM). Riders must be picked up four hours before their scheduled flight time.
    • MyRide2 (855-697-4332; myride2.com): The AgeWays (AAA 1-B) program helps seniors and people with disabilities in Oakland, Macomb, and Wayne counties find transportation and learn about transportation options. MyRide2 partnered with Lyft to provide same-day ride services. This organization also arranges Lyft rides, so the senior does not need to use the Lyft smartphone app to schedule a ride.
    • Interfaith Volunteer Caregivers (586-757-5551; ivcinfo.org): Volunteers provide door-to-door service with minimal assistance, using their own cars.
  • Public transportation, such as community buses, might be an option for independent older people who are in good health and on a low budget:
    • Smart Buses (866-962-5515; smartbus.org):
      • SMART Fixed Route bus services provide public transportation in Macomb, Oakland, and Wayne counties. SMART Fixed Route buses pick up and drop off at designated bus stops along major corridors, community routes, and crosstown routes.
      • SMART Flexible Smart Routes Groesbeck connects residents to destinations throughout the Groesbeck corridor.
      • SMART Connector Service is a curb-to-curb service (requiring advance reservations) operated weekdays from 6 AM to 6 PM. Riders may travel within a 10-mile radius of the pick-up location. A six-day notice is recommended for medical appointments and a two-day notice for other destinations.
      • Community Transit: Local communities partner with SMART to develop and operate Community Transit services to meet the needs of their residents.
      • SMART ADA Paratransit Service is another curb-to-curb service (requiring advance reservations) provided for people with ADA-certified disabilities who cannot use SMART’s Fixed bus service.
  • Taxis and ride-sharing companies, such as Uber and Lyft, offer curb-to-curb rides to individuals for a fare, which can be a set rate or a fee per mile/minute. While these services are convenient, they can be expensive.
  • Medical Transportation for Older People:
    • Non-emergency medical transportation may be available for some Medicaid and Medicare Advantage plans. Check with your insurance to see if you are eligible.

Securing transportation for people who do not drive takes time and effort, but it is in the rider’s, as well as their family’s, best interest to look into these options before the need arises.

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