Older adults who no longer have a driver’s license or do not feel comfortable operating a motor vehicle will soon be able to hitch a low-cost ride through a new “Get’n Around Town” program based out of the Morgan Hill Senior Center.
The 6-month pilot program, which already includes seven trained volunteer drivers on call, expects to service 25 rides per month to adults older than 65 who are members of the Senior Center and live within the 95037 Morgan Hill zip code.
“If the pilot is successful, the plan is to launch to the broader community in 2018,” said Debbie Vasquez, supervisor for the city’s older adult services. “We will see what works and make sure we have a really good product before we do that.”
For starters, all rides must be to and from a destination within the City of Morgan Hill and a round-trip ride must not exceed 20 miles. In addition, for the pilot, rides will only be provided during Senior Center operating hours from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. The Senior Center is located at 171 W. Edmundson Ave. The pilot program will officially kick off in the first week of October, according to Vasquez.
“We didn’t want to start really big and go up to San Jose. We wanted to start small with this,” said Vasquez, noting the service will help older adults get to places such as doctor’s appointments, the grocery store or simply getting out for social events. “We think this is very exciting because so many of our seniors can be isolated (when they have no transportation) and that’s their lifeline to the community.”
All volunteer drivers are required to go through a background check, fingerprinting and drug testing. They also must show proof of vehicle registration and insurance, and have a clean driving record. Volunteers who have been screened will use their own time and vehicle to provide rides to seniors.
“We have the volunteers and we have seniors in mind who are in need of those rides,” Vasquez said.
Anyone interested in becoming a volunteer driver can contact Vasquez at
de************@mh***.com
or (408) 310-4254.
Drivers and senior riders will use Ride Scheduler software to make the connection. Volunteers will be able to log in from home and select what ride request they want to take. Seniors in need of a ride can also fill out a form letting staff know when they need a ride, and then staff will input into the system.
To enroll in the pilot program, seniors must pay a $25 non-refundable service charge. Rides of 0-5 miles will cost $2; 6-10 mile rides are $3; and 11-20 miles are $4.
The Senior Center received a $1,500 grant from the Rotary Club of Morgan Hill to help pay for the software program. They also received $10,000 from the Friends of the Morgan Hill Senior Center for additional staffing hours to man the program.
Seniors will complete an application and waiver
Age 65+ and unable to drive
Senior must be able to communicate clearly and walk and move about with minimal difficulty, including getting in and out of the car with minimal assistance
If a caregiver rides along, they must have application and waiver on file, and will be charged as a rider
Service animals will be accepted based upon volunteer discretion
Volunteer Drivers are required to be 21 years of age or older, complete a volunteer application, waiver, have a valid driver’s license, valid insurance, current registration, and good DMV driving record (Volunteer Application Forms-Attachment 2). Volunteers are required to be fingerprinted, drug tested and pass a background check.
