Aging Receive Vouchers If They’re In Pilot Program
By Jahna Berry
The Republic
Phoenix seniors can use vouchers to ride in taxis at a discount if they participate in a new city pilot program.
Phoenix resident Marjorie Penseyres uses her vouchers to buy groceries, run hardware store errands and to go to doctor appointments.
“I am frugal and I can’t afford to take a cab at regular rates,” said Penseyres, who stopped driving five years ago. Vision and other health problems make it difficult for her to use buses and light rail. Without city programs like Senior Cab and Reserve-A-Ride, she has few transportation options, Penseyres said.
“It’s really a blessing,” said the Phoenix senior, who declined to give her age.
In the Senior Cab program, riders purchase “cab dollars” that can be used alone to pay for cab fare or they can be combined with real money. A book of 20 “one dollar” vouchers costs $6, which means the city covers 70 percent of the cost of the vouchers.
The vouchers are accepted by 19 participating taxi cab companies, said Gabriel Peiz, a Phoenix public transit supervisor who oversees Dial-A-Ride and Senior Cab.
The city set aside $125,000 for a 19-month pilot taxi program that began in December. About 100 people have signed up so far.
Flexible option
The pilot is a big improvement over Phoenix’s Dial-A-Ride and Reserve-A-Ride programs, Penseyres and others in the pilot program say.
Dial-A-Ride is limited to trips within city limits and can have a long wait time for same-day trips. Reserve-A-Ride is primarily for transportation to and from senior centers.
Senior Cab is really flexible said Faye Jenkins, 73. Jenkins has never owned a car and her family members are unable to give her rides to all of the places that she needs to go.
When Jenkins used Senior Cab vouchers to go to a medical appointment, the service was fast and the driver was really courteous, Jenkins said. She plans to use the taxi program more often, the Phoenix resident said.
“I love to go to the movies, and I haven’t been able to because of my health,” Jenkins said. “I’d love to go out and eat.”
Transit options for seniors
• Senior Cab: Riders who are 65 and older can buy discount vouchers that can be used like real money to pay cab fare. The vouchers can also be combined with real money and used with any of 19 participating taxi companies.
Cost: Twenty “one dollar” vouchers cost $6.
Information: For voucher information, call MV Transportation at 602-801-1163 and 602-801-1164. For rides, customers should call taxi firms directly.
• Dial-A-Ride: Riders who are 65 and older and disabled. Seniors can call for same-day transportation within Phoenix limits. Depending on demand, riders may wait for a few hours for pickup.
Cost: $3.50 for a one-way trip.
Information: 602-253-4000, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Reserve-A-Ride: Riders who are 60 and older or disabled. Reserve-A-Ride primarily to transport riders to and from senior centers from home to centers and back or for group senior center activities. Seniors should call two to three days in advance to reserve transportation, mostly to and from senior centers.
Cost: Suggested contribution $1.25.
Information: To receive the service, riders register by calling 602-262-4400, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday. If you are disabled you must fax a statement indicating your disability to 602-534-4252. To reserve a ride call 602-262-4501.
Assisted Living Advantage 