VRRD

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Supplemental Transportation Programs for
Seniors A Report on STPs in America
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Published July 2004 In Partnership with the
Beverly Foundation Report and STP
listingavailable online at www.seniordrivers.org
www.aaafoundation.org
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What are STPs?

• Supplemental transportation programs for
  seniors (STPs) are community-based transportation
  programs that complement or supplement existing
  transportation services, enabling seniors to
  remain active and healthy.

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Background

• Supplemental Transportation Programs for seniors
  (STPs) are
• Set up by grassroots, community, or regional
  organizations to provide seniors with alternative
  forms of transportation.
• Organized to meet the needs of seniors through
  trip chaining, transportation escorts,
  door-through-door service, and other means of
  personal support.

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Methods

• Surveyed STPs in the U.S. and sent follow-up
  surveys to 2001 STPs report participants
• Updated www.seniordrivers.org, a web-based
  clearinghouse with information on STPs and
  information for seniors, children of seniors, and
  transportation providers
• Developed a low-cost/low-maintenance volunteer
  friends model for a STPs including information
  on riders, drivers, vehicles and infrastructure

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www.seniordrivers.org

• List of STPs in all 50 states
• Tips for seniors, children of seniors, and
  transportation providers
• Free materials

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Free Materials

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PasRide A Senior-Friendly Pilot Project

In August 2003, an 18-month STPs pilot project in
Pasadena, California, called PasRide (Pasadena
Area Seniors Ride) was completed and successfully
relocated to a permanent administrative setting.
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PasRide Development

• The senior-friendly, consumer-driven, volunteer
  friends approach to transportation, was created
  based on these assumptions
• Many seniors need rides.
• If seniors who need rides have something to offer
  friends and neighbors in return, they will feel
  more comfortable asking for rides.
• If friends and neighbors can be reimbursed for
  their travel expenses, they will be more likely
  to provide rides.

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PasRide Approach

• If friends and neighbors can use their own cars,
  there will be no need to purchase vehicles.
• If rider and driver can work out the schedule for
  rides, there will be no need for staffing and
  infrastructure.

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PasRide Key Elements

• The key elements of PasRide are
• Sponsor
• Partners
• Riders
• Volunteer Drivers
• Documentation
• Reimbursement

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PasRide Outcome

• Provided rides to seniors who can no longer drive
  and have health, mobility, or financial
  limitations that preclude use of traditional
  transportation options.
• Provided tangible evidence that a program of this
  type can be undertaken in an economical and
  efficient manner with very little additional
  funding, designed such that there would be no
  need to purchase vehicles, hire paid drivers, or
  schedule rides.

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Results

• Demonstrated a low-cost/low-maintenance
  volunteer friends model through a pilot project
  in Pasadena, California (PasRide)
• Disseminated information on PasRide in a
  Volunteer Friends Starter Kit so that other
  localities, where applicable, can adapt it to
  start similar programs
• Established a STAR (Senior Transportation Action
  Response) Award to nationally recognize exemplary
  STPs

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Overall Conclusions
STPs meet the needs of seniors for mobility and
will help them remain active, healthy, and happy.
STPs can complement existing transportation
systems in any community.
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The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety is a
501(c)(3) public charity located in Washington,
DC that is dedicated to saving lives and reducing
injuries. It is supported by donations from
AAA/CAA Clubs, AAA/CAA members, and other
organizations associated with AAA/CAA.