Project Recommendation #3
Project Recommendation #3
The Area Agency on Aging will collaborate with existing transportation providers to expand the reach of multilingual volunteer-driver programs to connect residents to essential services and social engagement opportunities across the county.
California's 5 Bold Goals: Inclusion & Equity, Not Isolation; Affording Aging
AARP's 8 Domains of Livability: Transportation
As we age, mobility challenges can make it more and more difficult for us to use traditional transportation methods, such as maintaining and driving our own vehicle and using public transit. Many older adults and people with disabilities need door-to-door transportation, oftentimes with walking support from a driver or loved one. This can be a service provided by a family member or friend, but as we noted in the previous recommendation about community caregiving models, many older adults and people with disabilities do not have that option, or cannot consistently count on those carpool opportunities when they need them. Volunteer-driver programs typically limit the types of rides to only critical needs, such as rides to medical appointments or to the grocery store.
Similar to the role community caregiving models play in day-to-day care, volunteer-driver programs can be a cost effective strategy for filling in the gaps in the existing public transit and paratransit system. There are existing door-to-door transportation models in Merced County already (see more info in the Assets section on the next page) that can be scaled and/or promoted to meet the needs of rural community members, especially on the west side of the county. It may be worth exploring the potential intersections between a volunteer-driver program(s) and a volunteer caregiving network, as the administrative infrastructure needed to train, coordinate, and match volunteers with residents in need of assistance is similar.
The Area Agency on Aging provides assisted transportation services for older adults aged 60 years and older. The Central California Alliance for Health (CCAH) and the American Cancer Society also provide non-emergency transportation to medical appointments.
Other transportation models include The Bus, Merced’s regional transit system, with service in the cities of Merced, Atwater, and Los Banos, and commuter service to Livingston, Planada, Turlock, Winton, and Los Banos. The Micro Bus provides on-demand local rides within the communities of Dos Palos, Los Banos, Santa Nella and Gustine. The Bus also offers a curb-to-curb paratransit service to eligible individuals. Passengers must go through an approval process to utilize the service.
Similar to the hub-and-spoke community caregiving and volunteer network recommendation, an expansion of existing volunteer-driver program(s) or a pilot launch of a new program should be possible within twenty-four (24) months of the adoption of this Action Plan by the County Board of Supervisors. With new funding streams and depending on the level of support of community partners and/or a consultant(s), this timeline estimate could be expedited, as well as extended.
By June 30, 2030, expanded or new volunteer driver programs will serve at least 100 eligible community members.
By June 30, 2030, volunteer driver programs will provide at least 3,750 rides annually.
By June 30, 2030, 85% of riders will be satisfied with the rides they receive, as indicated through an annual survey.
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