Jill Couch and Jill Taylor
At March’s Senior Education Network meeting held at Pathways in Fort Collins, host Jill Taylor with the Aspen Club presented “Who Cares About Senior Transportation?” This has been a priority among seniors, Northern Colorado leaders, and senior transportation providers.
Speakers Anna Russo, Director of the Transfort Travel Training program and Jill Couch with Pro31 Safe Senior Driver, provided updates about senior transportation issues at the local, state, and national level. Recently, AARP awarded Partnership for Age-Friendly Communities (PAFC) Senior Transportation group for their work on a senior transportation plan in Larimer County.
AARP estimates drivers spend over $8,800 per year for maintaining their vehicles. For seniors, this can be rather costly and most low-income seniors need alternative transportation methods Ms. Russo indicated their Dial-A-Ride program, Max, and bus schedules are available online or with an online app. Visit their website at www.ridetransfort.com for the schedules and fees. There are a number of reduced fare programs available to seniors using the different transportation programs. The Dial-A-Ride program is sponsored locally by Yellow Cab.
In addition, Senior Alternatives in Transportation (SAINT) is a local non-profit agency providing personal transportation to people sixty years old and older or with disabilities. Call them at 970-223-8645 in Fort Collins or 970-223-8653 in Loveland to schedule transportation.
Caregivers can call Aspen Club for senior transportation help at 970-495-8560. UBER, a nationwide ride-sharing service, will provide additional senior transportation in Fort Collins for UCHealth facilities starting this Spring in a pilot program. More info will be announced soon.
A relatively new senior transportation service, Heart & Soul Paratransit in Fort Collins, offers non-emergency medical transport at reasonable costs. They also have vehicles for disabled seniors. Call them at 970-690-3338 for their fees and an appointment.