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Supportive
Services
Transportation
Transportation is the critical link that assures access to vital
services such as health care and going to the grocery store. The
availability of adequate transportation allows older Americans
to live independently in their communities and helps prevent isolation
and premature institutionalization. For many older people who
do not drive an automobile, family and friends provide much of
the transportation. However for others, community transportation
is the only connection to the outside world.
Whether you are looking for yourself, a family member or a friend,
this ElderAction fact sheet should help you find transportation
in your community.
Where can I find transportation services in my community?
The Local Area Agency on Aging or Title VI Program
There are 670 Area Agencies on Aging nationwide. Area Agencies
on Aging have an Information and Assistance service providing
older persons and their caregivers with specific information about
services in the community, including transportation services.
These local agencies, monitor and support specialized transportation
services for elders in their community. It is also the role of
the Area Agencies on Aging to ensure that services are delivered
to the older person in need.
There are also 221 programs nationwide that administer Title
VI of the Older Americans Act. The Title VI program promotes nutrition
and supportive services, such as transportation, to American Indian,
Alaskan Natives and Native Hawaiians. The Title VI Program also
has an Information and Assistance service which provides specific
information about services in the community.
To contact your local Area Agency on Aging or Title VI Program,
refer to the telephone directory in the Blue Pages or government
listings and/or in the Yellow Pages under aging, senior citizens,
community services or social services.
If you have difficulty locating your local Area Agency on Aging,
call the Eldercare Locator: toll free at 1-800-677-1116. The Eldercare
Locator is a nationwide service to help families and friends find
information about community services for older people. The Eldercare
Locator provides access to an extensive network of organizations
serving older people at state and local community levels.
The Yellow Pages of the Telephone Book
The Yellow Pages of many telephone books have a special section
in the front of the book with the names and addresses of various
service organizations. Look under transportation or community
services for the names of agencies that provide transportation
for special needs.
The National Transit Hotline
The National Transit Hotline provides information and technical
assistance to transportation providers and to people looking into
starting a transportation service.
The State Unit on Aging
The State Unit on Aging is the agency designated by the governor
and the state legislature as the focal point for all matters relating
to the needs of older persons within the state. The State Unit
on Aging is responsible for planning, coordination, funding and
evaluating programs for older persons authorized by both state
and federal government. Refer to your state government listings
for your state's office on aging or department of human resources.
What type of transportation is available in my community?
The type of transportation that is available in your community
will vary depending upon where you live. In addition, transportation
for the elderly can include doortodoor service, the public bus
that travels along a fixed route or ridesharing in a carpool.
The following briefly describes these three general classes of
transportation for older Americans.
DoortoDoor/DemandResponse
Demand response, also called Dial-a-Ride, refers to a system requiring
advance reservations and offering point-to-point or door-to-door
transportation from one specific location to another. The door-to-door
service provides flexibility, comfort and potential for adapting
to the needs of each rider. Demand response transportation systems
usually provide transportation on an advance reservation basis,
often requiring payment of fare or donations on a per ride basis.
FixedRoute
Fixedroute and scheduled services transport riders along an established
route with designated stops where riders can board and be dropped
off. Reservations are not required because the vehicles stop at
predetermined times and locations. Fixed route services usually
require payment of a fare on a perride basis. Many communities
offer discounts to senior citizens.
Ridesharing
Ridesharing programs coordinate people who need rides with volunteer
drivers who have space in their automobiles. Typically, this service
is scheduled transportation with a specific destination. The destination
points can include places of employment, nutrition sites, senior
centers and medical appointments.
Conclusion
This ElderAction Fact Sheet has provided you with some basic information
about where you can find transportation services in your community.
A good place to start your search for transportation is your local
Area Agency on Aging. Area Agencies on Aging monitor and support
specialized transportation services for elders in the community.
Although the agency may not provide transportation services directly,
its Information and Assistance Service should provide you with
information as to where to find transportation.
This ElderAction was developed by Mark Meridy, National Eldercare
Institute on Transportation, Community Transportation Association
of America, Washington, D.C. Duplication of this document is encouraged
to provide information to older Americans. Source should be noted
in all cases.
The toll-free Eldercare Locator service operates
Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Eastern time, and
can be reached at 1-800-677-1116. For more information on the
Eldercare Locator, and to do a Elder Locator Search, see the link
below:
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