AARP Ride@50+℠ Program Provides Free Rides for Veterans in SE Michigan

After a head injury left her unable to drive, Beverly List had to substantially reduce her daily activities. The Air Force Veteran now relies on others – mainly her sister – to drive her, including to and from work at the University of Michigan. After learning about the free rides for Veterans promotion available through the AARP Ride@50+ Program, she has been able to get a ride to and from work and resume some of her activities.

Developed by AARP Driver Safety with the support of Toyota, the AARP Ride@50+ ^SM Program connects users to multiple modes of transit for trips that can be booked and paid for in one place.  Thanks to a grant from Toyota, free rides for veterans will be available through December 31, 2022. Rides are provided on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last and must begin or end within Washtenaw County, Mich. limits. For more information, please visit www.aarp.org/ridewashtenaw or call 1-800-466-1461.

“Every day people miss crucial medical appointments because of distance, a lack of access or unfamiliarity with local transportation options,” said Josh Dunning, vice president and national director of AARP Driver Safety. “We want to arm older adults, especially Veterans, with knowledge and an accessible platform to make it easier to get around.”

James Meece, a Vietnam Veteran, gets treated by specialists at the VA Medical Center in Ann Arbor, Mich. He relies on a walker and has difficulty walking even short distances, so public transit wasn't a viable solution. Meece now uses the Ride@50+ Program to get to his frequent medical appointments. Before using the Program, he was paying out of pocket for taxi service rides that cost about $25 each way. “If it wasn’t for this ride,” he said, “I wouldn’t know what to do.”

The AARP Ride@50+ Program – built on the Mobility as a Service (MaaS) framework and powered by Feonix – Mobility Rising – provides a single point of access to review, compare, book and pay for local transportation alternatives through a mobile application, online booking platform, or by phone. The cost of each ride depends on the length and transportation option chosen and is stated at the time of booking, before payment is made. Payment can be made using any major credit card. The Program was created to serve individuals 50 and older and other vulnerable individuals, but is open to people of all ages. AARP membership is not required.x

The program is currently serving residents in Washtenaw County, Michigan; and Dallas County, Texas. After the current promotion ends, Veterans will still be able to access rides through the program and may be eligible for free or lower-cost rides through local services, grants, or volunteer driver organizations.

For more information about the Ride@50+ Program, please visit www.aarp.org/ridewashtenaw or call 1-800-466-1461.

For media inquiries, contact Cathleen Simlar at csimlar@aarp.org.