How Lyft and Uber are changing long-distance mobility for senior citizens

Seniors often face problems with transportation because they can’t drive or use public transport due to health, mobility, or money issues. Driving cessation can cause them to miss doctor visits, see friends less, and need more help from others. Easy access to transportation can make a big difference in a senior’s life.

Rural areas often lack public transportation, making it hard for people, especially seniors, to get where they need to go. Many have to travel long distances to see a doctor, buy groceries, or visit community centers.

Ensuring accessible senior transportation solutions

In 2022, over 20% of adults without a car or public transit missed the medical care they required. According to a survey from Texas A&M University Transportation Institute, spending on non-emergency medical rides, like those to doctor appointments, was more than $5 billion in 2019. This highlights how costly it can be to provide seniors with the healthcare access they need.

With more seniors in our population, it’s important to find solutions for their transportation needs. Many older adults use volunteer programs, paratransit services, and now, ride services like Lyft and Uber, which offer health-focused rides. Each option has its benefits, but it’s still a challenge to provide reliable, senior-friendly transportation that fits the needs of older adults from different areas and income levels.

Innovations in senior-friendly ride services

To help with transportation, many new programs and services have started to make travel easier and cheaper for seniors. Ride-hailing companies such as Lyft and Uber are focusing on healthcare travel as an important service. Lyft Healthcare is working with healthcare providers and non-profits like Common Courtesy and Area Agency on Aging. They offer easy, flexible, and affordable transportation for seniors, helping them reach important services and avoid missing appointments.

Non-profits and community organizations play a key role too. Common Courtesy, a non-profit founded in 2007, takes a different approach. They have Travel Logistics Coordinators who help seniors learn how to use apps like Lyft for the first time. This makes it easier for seniors to get to medical appointments, grocery stores, or meet friends. These programs are important because they help older adults who may not be used to or might be unsure about using phones to book rides.

Some community programs focus on helping seniors who need extra medical care. One such program is Elder Trip by the Area Agency on Aging. It started to help seniors get to COVID-19 vaccine appointments, offering thousands of rides. Now, Elder Trip also provides rides to medical appointments, social events, and necessary shopping trips. This shows a big need for affordable and senior-friendly transportation, especially in rural areas where public transport is not widely available.

Door-through-door services help seniors get from their homes to the car and then to their destinations. These services offer more than traditional options by helping with bags, wheelchairs, or walkers. ITNAmerica, a nonprofit, provides these services in several states, making sure seniors get the help they need to travel independently and access more activities and services.

Paratransit is a transport service that helps seniors and people with disabilities who can’t use regular buses or trains. It’s flexible and offers rides when needed, but you might need to book in advance and share rides with others.

The Non-Emergency Medical Transportation program by Medicaid is also there to help. It offers free rides to medical appointments for low-income seniors in most states, ensuring they can get to important healthcare visits without any hassle.

The GoGoGrandparent service is a great option for seniors who can’t use smartphones but still need rides. By calling a dispatch center, they can book an Uber or Lyft. This service also helps with grocery and medication deliveries, making life easier for seniors. If money is tight, relatives can sign up for them, helping to connect seniors with the resources they need.

These services offer great solutions, but they also show that more support is needed in both city and country areas. Local leaders and senior supporters stress the importance of better service coverage, especially in rural communities that lack resources. Community support, volunteer driver programs, and local efforts are key in providing rides for seniors who can’t use or get access to discounted services or apps like Uber or Lyft.

Future directions in accessible mobility for seniors

New technologies and partnerships are creating better ways for seniors to travel. Self-driving cars could change the game by offering safe and affordable rides without needing a driver. Though they’re still being tested and have some hurdles to clear, they might soon be a real option for seniors who can’t or don’t want to drive.

At the community level, expanding Medicaid in states with many rural areas can improve access to non-emergency medical transportation. By subsidizing ride-hailing services, seniors with limited incomes could get more affordable rides to healthcare facilities, grocery stores, and other important places. Legislative changes might also boost access to programs like GoGoGrandparent, which, with enough financial support, could become a national example for senior-friendly transportation.

One promising approach involves integrating existing transportation services within a broader community health framework, enabling seniors to access not only medical facilities but also social venues, recreational activities, and community centers. By doing so, stakeholders can help reduce isolation, an issue that is closely linked with mental health and physical well-being among seniors.

Indeed, the role of transportation extends beyond healthcare and errands—it enables seniors to remain socially active, engaged, and connected, which is essential for holistic well-being.

Investment in public transportation infrastructure, including the expansion of paratransit services, can further support transportation access for seniors in urban and suburban areas. This includes improving accessibility at transit stops, adding wheelchair-friendly infrastructure, and offering affordable fares for seniors. Public transportation authorities can also partner with private companies and non-profit organizations to ensure that a wider variety of options are available to meet diverse senior needs.

Takeaway

As ride-hailing platforms expand their senior-specific services, companies like Lyft and Uber are exploring additional safety and accessibility features, such as rides with specialized equipment for wheelchairs or walkers and options for caregivers or family members to monitor the trip remotely. These features offer added peace of mind for seniors and their families, while potentially increasing the appeal of ride-hailing services for those with health and mobility concerns.

Policymakers, healthcare providers, and senior advocates recognize that the development of senior-friendly transportation requires a collaborative effort. Strategic investments in public and private transportation, as well as initiatives like subsidized ride-hailing services, can address the transportation needs of seniors across diverse geographic and socio-economic backgrounds.

Building a robust, reliable network of senior-friendly transportation options requires sustained collaboration between public agencies, private companies, and local communities. The future of senior transportation hinges on flexibility, affordability, and accessibility, ensuring that all older adults can access medical care, remain socially engaged, and lead active, fulfilling lives.