Pilot Program Is Offering Limited Free Rides to Seniors

A ridesharing pilot program in Rancho Bernardo Community Park, Calif., is offering seniors 60 and older free Lyft rides to and from the Ed Brown Center for Active Adults, reports the Rancho Bernardo News Journal . The success of the program could heavily influence deployment of other transportation options — such as a shuttle bus — to the community. Jewish Family Service is the program operator, with funding supplied by a partnership between Lyft and the National Council on Aging. Officials said the Ed Brown Center is one of three senior communities hosting the pilot throughout the United States "to test an outreach and education program connecting older adults with ridesharing services so they can participate in health and wellness programs." The pilot is running through the Navigator component of JFS' On the Go program, and pilot participants can waive a $20 enrollment fee for On the Go. The Ed Brown Center's Lynn Wolsey said some participants have been accessing Lyft rides when coming to play cards or bingo, get hearing tests, use legal consultation, or take part in the weekly tea dance.