Tri Town 55 + Rides for Seniors Program
Submitted by Laura Sostak
According to statistics, 21% of people over 65 do not drive and 50% of non-drivers are homebound daily. Lack of transportation is a leading cause of isolation among older adults and negatively affects their quality of life. In April 2017, Tri-Town 55+ Coalition launched the Rides for Seniors program, a discounted on-demand car service program for residents living in Madison, Chatham and Chatham Township to improve access to transportation.
“In 2016, a Needs Assessment Survey conducted in Madison, Chatham and Chatham Township identified transportation as a top concern. To address this need, Tri-Town 55+ Coalition partnered with GoGoGrandparent to enable older adults to access Uber and Lyft without the need of a smartphone. Looking at the number of rides, the age of the riders, and the destinations, we are happy to say we are enabling older adults to get where they need to go, when they want to go,” says John Crouthamel, President of Tri-Town 55+ Coalition.
The Rides for Seniors program has provided over 4500 subsidized rides. More than 385 registered seniors have used the on-demand car service to run errands, get to doctor’s appointments, go shopping or visit loved ones. The ages of riders vary from 65 and older, but the largest number of riders are over the age of 85.
While GoGoGrandparent is available nationwide, the Rides for Seniors program is the only one of its kind to offer a discount to riders of the three communities. Riders receive $5 off each ride up to four rides per month. The discount is made possible through grant funding and sponsorship support, including a grant from the Grotta Fund for Senior Care. Family and friends can also off-set ride costs through the Gift-a-Ride program. For more information, to register for Rides for Seniors, or to donate, visit the Tri-Town 55+ Coalition web site at tritown55plus.org.
