Senior Transportation Print E-mail

Everyone ages differently. Some people are perfectly capable of continuing to drive in their 70s, 80s and beyond. Others may not be able to continue driving due to health conditions or because they no longer feel confident in their driving abilities. 

Risk factors that can affect driving performance include: visual decline, hearing loss, limited mobility, increased reaction time, medications, drowsiness and dementia. Fortunately, for those who no longer can or want to drive, alternative transportation options are available.

Alternative Transportation Options
  • Small Bus/Van Service:  Public transit, aging organizations and private agencies provide door-to-door or curb-to-curb transportation using mini-buses or small vans.  This sort of "paratransit" service often requires users to make advanced reservations.
  • Public Transit/Fixed Route Service:  Public transit agencies provide bus and rail services along established routes on major roads with set schedules on a non-reservation basis – also referred to as "public transportation" or "mass transit."  Reduced rate fares and additional transportation services are available for older adults and persons with disabilities.
  • Volunteer Driver Programs: Local faith-based and nonprofit organizations may have a network of volunteers who offer flexible transportation for shopping, doctors' appointments and other activities.
Finding Transportation in Your Community
While every option is not available in every community, the following organizations can tell you what help may be available in your area:

Bus Services

SMART Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation (Serving Macomb, Oakland and Wayne Counties)
www.smartbus.org
(866) 962-5515

DDOT – Detroit Department of Transportation
(Serving the City of Detroit)
www.ridedetroittransit.com
(866) 336-8287

LETS – Livingston Essential Transportation Service
(Serving Livingston County)
www.co.livingston.mi.us/lets
(517) 546-6600

Blue Water Transit 
(Serving portions of St. Clair County)
www.bwbus.com
(810) 987-7373

LET Lake Erie Transit
(Serving Monroe County)
www.lakeerietransit.com
(734) 242-6672

Senior Transportation Information (Small Bus/Van)

Area Agency on Aging 1-B
www.aaa1b.org
29100 Northwestern Highway, Suite 400
Southfield, MI 48034
(248) 357-2255 | (800) 852-7795
Fax: (248) 948-9691
Serves: Counties of Livingston, Macomb, Monroe, Oakland, Washtenaw, St. Clair

Detroit Area Agency on Aging (1-A)
www.daaa1a.org
Brewery Park
1333 Brewery Park Blvd., Suite 200
Detroit, MI 48207-2635
(313) 446-4444
Fax: (313) 446-4445
Serves: Cities of Detroit, Hamtramck, Highland Park, Grosse Pointe Shores, Grosse Pointe Woods, Grosse Pointe Farms, Harper Woods

The Senior Alliance
www.thesenioralliance.org
Area Agency on Aging 1-C
3850 Second, Suite 201
Wayne, MI 48184
(734) 722-2830
(800) 815-1112 (SE Michigan only)
Fax: (734) 722-2836
Serves: 34 communities of Western and Southern Wayne County.

www.211.org
(Serving Macomb, Oakland, and Wayne counties)