Program funds free rides

The San Diego County Senior Transportation Program, a county-sponsored program to increase transportation access for older adults announced the expansion of its free ride service for low-income seniors in rural and urban communities across the county, including wheelchair-accessible transportation.

This expansion of services is to ensure all older adults have access to safe, reliable transportation that meets their mobility needs.

“Transportation is a fundamental aspect of independence and quality of life, and we firmly believe that physical abilities should not limit mobility. By introducing wheelchair-accessible rides and increasing enrollment, we aim to bridge the transportation gap and empower San Diego seniors with mobility challenges to navigate their communities independently,” said Maureen Glaser, senior program manager in a statement.

SDCSTP is available to low-income seniors, whether they are ambulatory or utilize wheelchairs or other mobility devices, providing them with safe, reliable, and convenient transportation options. The program is operated by Jewish Family Service of San Diego’s On the Go, which remains the County’s largest senior transportation service and collaborates with a network of trained and certified transportation providers who are equipped with accessible vehicles and rideshare drivers to provide passengers with comfortable and convenient travel options.

To qualify for SDCSTP, participants must be at least 60 years of age, have a household income that is at or below 30% of the San Diego County Area Median Income (up to $27,350 for a 1-person household, $31,250 for a 2-person household, $35,150 for a 3-person household, or $39,050 for a 4-person household), and live in one of the following zip codes: 91901, 91910, 91911, 91915, 91916, 91945, 91950, 91977, 92004, 92020, 92070, 92139, 92154, 92173, 91906, 91917, 91934, 91935, 91948, 91962, 91963, 92086, 92536.

Seniors or their caregivers who qualify for the San Diego County Senior Transportation Program can enroll at otgrides.org/sd-enrollment or call 855-638-2279 seven days a week to request a free ride now or for a future time. Trained and multilingual call center staff match ride requests based on the senior’s needs.

Older adults who do not meet the eligibility requirements for the San Diego County Senior Transportation Program may still access JFS’s On the Go service, which offers a variety of affordable, flexible options. For more information, call (858) 637-3210 or visit jfssd.org/otg.