Metro Detroit Resources for Senior Transportation
Anne Osmer Reporting
Are you a senior or caring for a senior who is looking for transportation resources? Getting around metro Detroit can be challenging, especially for those who don't drive.
"Transportation is a very highly needed and an in-demand service for seniors in the tri-county area," said Maria Williams, resource associate for United Way 2-1-1, an information service of the United Way for Southeastern Michigan that seeks to connect people with available services.
"Unfortunately, transportation is probably one of the toughest things (for seniors)," said Chris Goldberg, a manager at Adult Well-Being Services in Detroit.
Here are some tips for finding transportation:
- Contact your local Area Agency on Aging (see "Additional Resources" [link to Resources] below) or local community centers. "I always advise people to contact their local senior center," said Goldberg. Your community may offer free or inexpensive transportation for seniors. For a list of some of the senior centers in southeast Michigan, click here.
- Ask friends and neighbors in your area.
- Call United Way 2-1-1. Operators can assist you with community resource information, including transportation. Simply pick up the phone and dial 2-1-1.
- Check with local transit authorities, such as the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT), the Detroit Department of Transportation (DDOT) and the Suburban Mobility for Regional Transportation (SMART) for special rates and services for seniors (see "Additional Resources" below for contact information).
- If you are under the care of a doctor or hospital, ask if they offer transportation services – many do.
Click here for a list of transportation options in metro Detroit, complied by United Way 2-1-1. Please note the list is in order of requested service – first find the service you're looking for, then scroll down to find a provider in your area.
Additional resources:
Southeast Michigan Area Agencies on Aging:
- Detroit Area Agency on Aging 1-A: Phone: (313) 446-4444; Web site: http://www.daaa1a.org/DAAA/.
- Area Agency on Aging 1-B: Serving Livingston, Macomb, Monroe, Oakland, St. Clair and Washtenaw counties. Phone: 1 (800) 852-7795; Web site: http://www.aaa1b.com/.
- Area Agency on Aging 1-C – The Senior Alliance: Serving all of Wayne County except areas served by the Detroit Area Agency on Aging. Phone (734) 722-2830; Web site: http://www.aaa1c.org/default.htm List of AAA1-C Transportation options: http://www.aaa1c.org/consumers/resource16.htm.
Area transit providers:
- Michigan Dept. of Transportation (MDOT): Phone: (517) 373-2835; Web site: www.michigan.gov/mdot.
- Suburban Mobility Authority For Regional Transportation (SMART): Suburban bus system operating in 75 communities of Macomb, Oakland and Wayne Counties. Phone: (866) 962-5515; Web site: www.smartbus.org/smart/home.
- Ann Arbor Transportation Authority (AATA): Offers various special and discounted-fare options for seniors and disabled. Phone: (734) 973-6500; Web site: www.theride.org.
- Livingston Essential Transportation Service (LETS): A lift-equipped small bus system that offers transportation throughout Livingston County. Phone: (517) 546-6600; Web site: http://co.livingston.mi.us/LETS/
- Lake Erie Transit: Provides demand/response service to seniors and disabled in the county of Monroe; a general public fixed route service in the city of Monroe; and Dial-A-Ride services in Frenchtown and Bedford townships. Phone: (734) 242-6672; Web site: www.lakeerietransit.com/.
- Pointe Area Assisted Transportation Service (PAATS): Serves Harper Woods and Grosse Pointe seniors (60+), and disabled residents. Phone: (313) 343-2580.
- North Oakland Transportation Program (NOTA): Free transportation service for seniors, disabled adults 18 & older, and transit-dependent individuals who are residents of Addison, Orion or Oxford Townships.Phone: (248) 628-7900; Web site: http://notaride.org/intro.htm
General transportation and resource providers:
- United Way 2-1-1: Connects people with community resources, including transportation resources: Phone: 2-1-1; Web site: http://www.uwsem.org/gethelp/index.html.
- American Cancer Society Metro Detroit Area Service Center: Provides transportation to cancer treatment patients. Phone: 1 (800) ACS-2345 (1-800-227-2345).
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