| Transportation is a Big Issue for Seniors | | Print | |
 Need a ride? Utah County seniors can now benefit from a new ride share program, “Seniors Out & About” sponsored in part by Mountainland Association of Governments Aging and Family Services. Introductory rides within American Fork, Alpine, Cedar Hills, Highland, Lindon, Provo, Orem, Lehi, and Springville are now available for 200 low-income seniors age 70+ at a reduced rate of $5.00 per round trip. Low income is defined as $15,000 per year for individuals or $20,000 per year for couples. After the first 200 rides are reserved, trip charges will return to the regular low-cost rate of $8.00 per ride each way in Provo and Orem. Most seniors outlive their driving ability by 7 to 10 years, according to a U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) report, Safe Mobility for a Maturing Society: Challenges and Opportunities. When seniors stop driving, they lose their independence. Alternative transportation helps homebound seniors remain healthy and active. A readily available ride service is fundamental to seniors obtaining groceries, medical care, and social interaction. “We should all plan for driving retirement as well as job retirement,” said Scott McBeth, Director of Aging and Family Services at Mountainland Association of Governments. “There are few public transportation options for seniors who may not have the physical abilities to board a bus. Transportation is an integral part of a senior’s whole wellness.” Seniors Out & About provides wheel-chair accessible vehicles which are ADA compliant to transport seniors with door-through-door service. Orem senior Laura Cox, 81, recently used Seniors Out & About. “I’ve only used it once to go to the doctor, but I was very pleased. My neighbors, my daughter, or a senior companion usually drive me places because I am homebound,” Cox said. When Irene Baustia, 78, moved to Utah County from Sacramento, California, she had no idea transportation would be such a big problem in Utah. Baustia used Seniors Out & About to attend a seminar at BYU. “The driver was so polite and concerned about my comfort. It is an easy and reliable service,” Baustia said. Carolyn Price, 63, who has not driven for years, loves the ride share service. As the full-time caregiver to her mother, age 92, she is concerned about the cost of transportation. The American Automobile Association now estimates the average cost of owning and running a car is $6,400 per year. By giving up a car, most seniors have over $100 dollars a week to use for buses, ride share programs or to purchase gas for friends and relatives who drive them. Rides can be reserved by contacting Melanie Haws at Mountainland Association of Governments at 801-229-3804. |