Mobility is critical to people of all ages. It gives us independence. Those without the ability to drive often feel “trapped” in their homes. Years of independence turned into complete dependence on someone else to transport you from point A to B can send a senior into depression and at times, stranded. This is why transportation services for seniors are so critical.
We all can remember our parents or loved ones taking us everywhere before we were able to legally drive. Asking them to take us to football practice, after school activities, or maybe a friend’s house was a daunting task because we could only leave if they agreed to drive us. You can imagine that same feeling as a senior depending on a friend or loved one to take them to the grocery store or doctor’s appointment.
Thankfully there are transportation services to make life easier and ensure mobility for all seniors.
Accessibili-D by way of May Mobility is a local service pilot program being launched in Detroit. It is a free autonomous shuttle for seniors and those with disabilities to help them get to stores, doctor appointments, or social and recreational events. Many Detroiters have trouble getting around due to the costs of owning a car or mobility challenges arising from age or disabilities. The free pilot will run through 2025. It aims to help Detroiters 62 and older or those living with disabilities reach their destination. Rides can be scheduled in advance or on demand.
SMART is the largest transit provider in the region. It provides a number of services to help seniors and people with disabilities connect to work, school, shopping, and friends and family. SMART offers seniors aged 65 plus a reduced fare on fixed route buses.
A particular SMART service is the Connector Service. This is an advance reservation, curb-to-curb service, where riders can travel anywhere within a 10 mile radius of a designated service area. Rides are available on a first come, first served basis and reservations are required. A six-business day notice is recommended for medical appointments and a two- business day notice for other destinations.
The services SMART offers are critical for senior mobility. Many seniors are still working or volunteering and have set schedules. Knowing you can board a bus at a set time provides a reliable source of transportation that makes getting places on time easy. Medical appointments are an essential part of seniors’ lives ensuring a good quality of life. The connector service does the job of getting seniors to and from doctor appointments. Not having these services could be a matter of life and death. It also helps with mental health knowing there is a way to get around and not being home bound.
SEMCOG recently hosted the last workshop of a 3 part series on aging held May 23, 2024. The focus of the workshop was on mobility options for seniors. We heard from providers SMART, MyRide2, and our internal rideshare service Commuter Connect. Each of these services offer options for seniors to live a quality of life that includes getting to and from where they need to go. The feeling of being mobile when needed boosts morale and independence. This helps seniors with their mental health and longevity for years to come.
For more information, click on these links which will show Southeast Michigan County sites with transportation providers that can assist seniors offering mobility choices.
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