Marin Transit’s Catch-A-Ride program, a pioneering initiative developed in partnership with rideshare companies like Uber, is expanding mobility options for eligible seniors in Marin County by offering discounted rides that go beyond traditional transit boundaries.
Through Catch-A-Ride, riders aged 65 and older can access up to thirty subsidized rides per quarter using digital or paper vouchers, allowing travel to destinations beyond the reach of fixed routes, microtransit, or paratransit services.
“Our existing programs, whether agency-operated, microtransit, or paratransit, have very defined service area boundaries,” said Robert Betts, Director of Operations and Service Development at Marin Transit. “[Our Catch-A-Ride pilot program with Uber] really opened up that service area.”
Betts shared an impactful story of an early participant: “One of our early adopters, who I think was a little skeptical of the program…as soon as she enrolled and started to use the [Uber] vouchers, we started to get these selfies of her enjoying the recreational lands here in Marin County. It just kind of showcased some of the expanded mobility we were offering.”
The program empowers seniors to travel independently, exploring parts of the county previously inaccessible via public transit.
A WebMD report estimates that around 600,000 older adults stop driving annually due to health issues, reducing their mobility and independence. Additionally, limited transportation options can lead to social isolation among seniors, posing health risks similar to smoking and obesity.
The AARP Foundation notes that private transportation costs, such as taxis and rideshares, are often prohibitive for seniors on fixed incomes.
