Senior Transportation and Assistance Guide: Seattle and King County

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Transportation services are crucial for maintaining independence and accessing essential services. Sound Generations offers free options like the Hyde Shuttle for community trips and Volunteer Transportation for medical appointments. Other services, such as King County Metro’s reduced fares, may help, but they often involve costs. Local senior centers and community groups might also provide support, though availability varies.

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Sound Generations is the primary provider of free transportation for low-income seniors in Seattle, offering the Hyde Shuttle and Volunteer Transportation.

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King County Metro provides reduced fares for seniors and Access Transportation for those with disabilities, but these may involve costs.

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Local senior centers and community groups offer additional support with services like Hopelink Ride for Medicaid patients.

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Free and Low-Cost Transportation Services  

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Sound Generations' Hyde Shuttle: Free door-to-door van service for seniors (55+) and adults with disabilities, covering community meal programs, senior centers, grocery stores, and errands. Operating hours are Monday to Friday, 8 am to 4 pm. Contact them at (206) 727-6262 or visit Hyde Shuttle Website.

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Sound Generations' Volunteer Transportation: Free rides for seniors (60+) to medical, dental, and healthcare appointments, driven by volunteers using their own vehicles. More details are available at Sound Generation’s Website.

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King County Metro's Access Transportation: For seniors with disabilities preventing regular transit use, this service has a $1.75 one-way fare, similar to bus fares for eligible seniors. Contact (206) 553-3000 or visit Access Transportation Website for more information.

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Hopelink Ride Service: Transportation to and from doctor appointments for Medicaid patients, likely benefiting low-income seniors. Call 800-923-7433 or visit Hopelink Website to schedule.

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Additional Resources  

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Local senior centers, like SouthEast Seattle Senior Center, may partner with transportation providers. Contact individual centers for details, such as SouthEast Seattle Senior Center.

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Ridesharing services like Uber and Lyft don’t offer specific senior discounts but can be used with regular fares. Check for promotions.

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Budi, a Seattle-based service for seniors and caregivers, offers help with rides, errands, and chores. Visit bookabudi.com or call 206-310-5143 for more information.

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King County Metro: Accessible and Reduced Fare Options

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King County Metro, a division of the King County Department of Transportation, offers transportation options that can benefit low-income seniors, though they are not always free:

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Reduced Fares: Seniors aged 65 and above can apply for the Regional Reduced Fare Permit (RRFP), which allows discounted fares on public transit, including buses, light rail, and ferries. The fare for eligible riders is typically $1.75 per trip, compared to the standard adult fare. Details on eligibility and application are available at King County Metro Fares.

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Access Transportation: This paratransit service is designed for individuals whose disabilities prevent them from using regular fixed-route bus service. Seniors with qualifying disabilities can use Access Transportation, which operates a network of accessible vans. The fare is $1.75 one-way, aligning with reduced fare options for seniors with RRFP. Riders can request trips one to seven days in advance, with contact information at (206) 553-3000 or Access Transportation Website. However, this service requires eligibility determination, which may involve an in-person functional evaluation, and is not specifically free for all low-income seniors.

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Metro’s commitment to equity is evident through initiatives like the ORCA LIFT program, providing discounted fares for income-qualified individuals, but these are more general and not exclusively for seniors.

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Hopelink and Medicaid-Covered Services

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Hopelink provides transportation services that are particularly relevant for low-income seniors, especially those enrolled in Medicaid:

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Hopelink Ride Service: Offers transportation to and from doctor appointments for Medicaid patients, which includes many low-income seniors. This service is non-emergency and can be scheduled by calling 800-923-7433, with details at Hopelink Website. The service operates Monday to Friday, 8 am to 5 pm, and is designed to support medical access.

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Hopelink Gas Card Program: Provides gas cards to reimburse Medicaid recipients for travel costs to appointments, offering another layer of support for low-income seniors. Contact 800-923-7433 for more information or to set up an account, with further details at Hopelink Gas Card Information.

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These services ensure that seniors with Medicaid coverage can access necessary healthcare without the burden of transportation costs.

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Local Senior Centers and Community Resources

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Beyond the major providers, local senior centers in Seattle often offer or partner with transportation services, though these may not be as comprehensive or free:

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SouthEast Seattle Senior Center: can connect visitors with free options like the Hyde Shuttle and Metro Access. They provide services and activities for adults 50 and older, enhancing community access.

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Ballard NW Senior Center: Provides transportation options like Hyde Shuttle and Metro Access, as seen at Ballard NW Senior Center Services. They focus on enhancing the lives of seniors through various programs, with transportation being a key component.

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Other Community Venues: Places of worship and community venues may offer transportation services, though these are less formal and vary by location. For assistance, contact FindARide at 425-943-6760 or visit FindARide Website.

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Additional Resources and Tips

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Several resources can help low-income seniors navigate transportation options:

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ORCA Card: Seniors aged 65 and older can use the Regional Reduced Fare Permit (RRFP) for discounted fares on public transit. More information is available at King County Metro Reduced Fares.

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Community Living Connections: Offers additional support and can be reached at 844-348-5464.

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