Free Transportation to Helena and Bozeman for Senior Citizens
Author: mt43news staff reporter
Free Transportation to Helena and Bozeman for Senior Citizens
MT43 News Staff Reporter
Free rides are few and far between these days, but Broadwater County older citizens can ride for free from their homes to Helena or Bozeman beginning February 1st until September 30 of this year. The program is operated by Gogo Grandparents, a ride service out of California.
According to Rocky Mountain Development Council’s Agency on Aging Director Jim Marks, the service was a brainchild of Kerrie Reidelbach whose surveys showed one of older people’s highest needs was some kind of public transportation. Reidelbach is the director of the Department of Health and Human Services Unit on Aging. The program will be financed from soon-to-be sunsetting ARPA funds plus matching grants. “Area IV has $110,000 to use for this program and we act as a passthrough from the state to the Gogograndparents organization. The service has been available to older adults for a long time in cities such as Helena, but never in rural areas.” Marks said.
“People didn’t think it was real. I received calls and emails asking if the service was really happening,” Marks said, “Broadwater County was second in line for the service. We gave the Broadwater County Health Department a heads-up so people would believe it.”
Free private rides for people aged 60 and over can be used for recreation, going to the grocery store and doctors’ appointments. The driver will pick up at the person’s door and bring them home, Marks said. Each individual is allowed four trips per month. Ride-sharing is encouraged. The program works in the same manner as Uber or Lyft, both private companies in which drivers use their own cars to provide the rides.
Marks’ biggest concern is when the money ends on September 30, that will cause a “pall over the program. After that, the program will continue under a “private pay” system. The newly- offered ride service will act as an incentive to install a permanent program for people who have no other way to access shopping or medical care. Marks explained: “This is a vital experiment to prove we need the service in Broadwater County. I strongly recommend people use the service now and throughout the summer.”
Although the startup service is ready to roll out, Marks said he is recruiting drivers who are interested in signing up to help build out the program. Qualified drivers will be paid a wage plus mileage and will be allowed to accept tips
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To book the service please use the telephone number only, he said. Booking through the website puts the customer in a “pay” status. To book the service with Gogograndparent call 1-855-755-2026. To register as a driver, use the website to sign up.
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Image 1 Caption: Book a ride to Helena or Bozeman with a qualified driver in his or her own vehicle. The service is available in Townsend through Gogograndparents ride service.
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