Top 5 Senior Transportation Solutions (and common complaints)

senior busSeniors today have access to a variety of ever-expanding transportation options, yet the most popular means of getting around town remain the same. Whether it’s familiarity, perceived value and convenience, or a lack of exposure to alternatives, seniors are moving around in the same ways that they have been for years.

5.  Volunteer Drivers / Ride Services

Many seniors rely on volunteer drivers and ride services in their communities to get where they need to go. For people who are able to schedule plans in advance, this can be a great option and it’s usually free!

Common Complaints

• Must schedule rides well in advance–usually one week
• 
Services vary from city to city and county to county
• 
Destinations can be limited to essential locations (not available for “fun” activities)

4.  Family & Friends

Most seniors ask family and friends to drive them to important appointments or events. Those with willing family and friends nearby love this option because they know and trust the driver, have complete flexibility, and it’s free too – or perhaps costs a dinner every now and then!

Common Complaints

• At the mercy of another person’s schedule
• 
Don’t want to ask the same person too often and “feel like a burden”

3.  Public Transportation

For seniors that live in a large urban area, public transportation is a common theme. They can hop on the local bus for just a couple of dollars and get most places they need to go. Savvy, urban seniors find that the city bus or train can even be better than driving because you don’t have to worry about parking!

Common Complaints

• Bus and train stops are too far from home
• 
Public transportation takes too long
• 
Buses can be dirty and crowded
• 
Can’t transport large or heavy bags easily

2.  Community Shuttle Buses

Seniors find community shuttle buses a fantastic solution for their weekly trip to the grocery store. Buses are free, seniors typically know the driver, and routes rotate through essential destinations on a relatively reliable schedule.

Common Complaints

• Must adhere to the bus schedule, which includes scheduling personal appointments (like going to the doctor) around bus times
• 
Destinations are limited to essential locations or pre-planned community outings
• 
Often wait at a destination for a long time before the shuttle returns

1.  Driving

The most common mode of transportation for seniors is – surprise – still driving a car! Most people continue to drive for as long as they can and only give it up reluctantly because driving offers such freedom and flexibility.

Common Complaints

• Not really comfortable driving, but don’t want to lose freedom
• 
Cost of car, insurance, gas, and maintenance is expensive

If one (or more!) of these methods works for you, that’s great! However, we’ve found that many of these solutions aren’t really meeting seniors’ needs.

It’s time for a change.

And that’s where Arrive comes in. We’re here to offer the best of all worlds.

Our goal at Arrive is to solve the problems with these common senior transportation solutions. After all, the world is changing rapidly and life is becoming more convenient than ever. Shouldn’t transportation options for seniors follow suit?

With Arrive, seniors can call a phone number, talk to a live person, and order a car to pick them up immediately, or schedule a ride for the future. It’s not free, but most rides cost less than a taxi and relying on Arrive for transportation costs 85% less than having that car in your driveway. Cars come to you, on your schedule, and Arrive always knows who your driver is and where you are. Since we handle all the payments, you simply get out of the car when you’ve reached your destination!

Arrive is simple, convenient, safe, and provides easy access to the technology that is moving the world. If you’ve been inconvenienced by the solutions listed here, why let that technology move you too?