Rides for Seniors in Loudoun
What are the options for seniors living in Loudoun County in Northern Virginia for getting rides to appointments and errands?
There are transportation services such as the one at Fairfax County’s Reston Community Center. Volunteers who drive their own vehicles have taken seniors for free to their appointments.
Seniors can ask neighbors and friends for rides.
An organization called NV Rides coordinates transportation programs for older adults in Northern Virginia, It’s a door-to-door ride service in Virginia that is free. The programs operate with a combination of local, state and federal funds. NV Rides, more than one year old, is a joint effort between Fairfax County and the Jewish Council for the Aging of Greater Washington. The Jewish Community Center of Northern Virginia runs the program.
NV Rides works with five organizations, providing computer software and training that enable volunteer drivers to do their own scheduling of rides. It also pays for background checks for drivers and helps with volunteer recruitment.
In the program’s first year, 177 volunteer drivers provided 3,795 rides and logged 21,750 miles, according to NV Rides.
In Fredericksburg, Mobility Options transports residents age 60 and older, as well as those with disabilities and/or low incomes. Riders are charged $4 for most round trips. Visit raaa16.org for information.
The Vital Transportation Services program of the Local Office on Aging contracts with taxis to take older residents to medical appointments, pharmacies and grocery stores. Riders are asked to make a donation for the service. For information, visit loaa.org.
In Northern Virginia, visit nvrides.org or call 703-537-3071.
Visit http://states.aarp.org/va-transport/#sthash.KmFzvClG.dpuf
From the Loudoun County website:
Demand-Response Bus Service In those areas not served by fixed routes, VRT provides demand-response service throughout Loudoun County. This service provides travel assistance from a resident’s home to locations in Loudoun for medical appointments, shopping, or other basic-need destinations. Fares vary throughout the county based on the length of the trip. Users are required to call 24 hours in advance to make reservations. Trips will be arranged where logistically possible. Service hours are from 7:00 am until 7:00 pm, Monday through Friday. Please call VRT at 877-777-2708 for more information.
Commuter Bus Service Loudoun County operates a Commuter Bus Service. More information is online here.
Taxi Services There are several taxi companies serving Loudoun County that are listed in the Yellow Pages. Please direct cabs to drop you off or pick you up on Market Street.
Adult Protective Services (APS) at the Department of Family Services may also be able to provide assistance to the elderly with advance notice. Call 703-777-0353 (or TTY: 703-777-9742) for more information.