Senior Medical Transport
The Senior Van program provides transportation information and rides to
Niagara County residents aged 60 and over who need a ride to medical appointments
or to essential services that they have no other way to get to.
Rides
The Senior Van program can provide rides to medical appointments and for
other medically
essential trips in Niagara, Erie and Orleans counties. Rides must be scheduled
at least two weeks in advance, and riders may have to arrive earlier than
their scheduled appointment or wait after their appointment to be picked
up. Regular hours for rides are within the hours of 9:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.,
Monday through Friday, except for holidays.
The Senior Van coordinator can provide you with information on the various transportation options for seniors in the County. These include other senior van programs, buses, cabs, and the Paratransit program run by the NFTA.
Fares
Riders will be given an amount they can contribute to the program depending on the distance they travel. The suggested contribution for shorter trips in the city is $2.50 for each way. The suggested fare to travel outside the city is $3.50 each way, and to Erie County is $7.50 each way. Contributions are used to maintain the program. No one will be denied a ride due to inability to contribute.
Planning Trips
Callers can be helped with planning trips to places in Niagara and nearby counties. There are many options for traveling without a car. Call us and find out the best way to get where you need to go.
Discuss alternatives to driving
Many seniors want to avoid using their car or are thinking of stopping driving. Our coordinator can talk to you about alternatives and help you decide whether to quit driving. You may be referred to local programs that can assess your driving skills and help you find adaptive equipment for your car if you need it. If you are a relative or friend of someone who you would like to talk to about their driving we can help you with suggestions on how to approach this delicate topic!
FACTS…..
The Niagara County Office for the Aging has been in existence since 1973
to meet the needs of the 43,000 seniors of Niagara County. The Senior
Medical Van was started in 2001 because the Office was aware of the need
for transportation, especially for seniors to get to Medical appointments. The
Van was purchased with a grant from the State Office for the Aging.
