By Maurice
If you’re looking for free transportation for seniors in Minnesota, you’re in the right place!This page is a complete resource for free transportation for the elderly in the state of Minnesota.Check out the resources below, and if you have a resource to add, please contact us!
Map of Free Transportation for Seniors in Minnesota
List of Free Transportation for Seniors in Minnesota
East Side Neighborhood Services – Dignified Senior Transportation
Program Description:
East Side Neighborhood Services has been a centerpiece of the Northeast Minneapolis community for over a century.
Today, it has expanded its social services to reach throughout Hennepin County with multicultural and intergenerational constituents. We support our community with a holistic range of services from youth services like childcare, out-of-school time programs, summer camp, and an alternative high school, to older adult transportation, caregiving support, and wellness classes.
We provide healthy nutrition with three food shelf programs. We help people gain economic stability and grow their careers through employment programs for all ages. We support family healing through our counseling programs for people who have been identified as using abusive behaviors as well as creative arts therapy for youth.
Senior Transportation: Our accessible door-to-door transportation for older adults and those with disabilities include lift-equipped vehicles. Providing weekday individual and group transportation to Medical appointments Senior dining Routed grocery shopping and Recreational outings..
- Service Area:Minneapolis, Hennepin county
- Transportation Services Provided: Medical appointments.Senior dining.Routed grocery shopping.Recreational outings.
- Eligibility Criteria: The following are eligible to receive transportation:
- Older adults and those with disabilities.
- Application Details: TO SIGN UP/SCHEDULE FOR RIDES:
- Please Contact: 612-787-4012.
- Other Details:
- 1The suggested donation for each one-way trip is $4.50. Rider donations are requested, but not required. Sliding scale payments are available.
- 2First come, first served.
- 3Our transportation may look a little different as we adjust our programs to accommodate for the COVID-19 pandemic. Latest updates: We are open for medical, social need and shopping trips. We are available for small group outings (five or fewer). Our Quarry shopping route is running three days a week from area apartment buildings with small groups to maintain social distancing.
Interfaith Outreach – Transportation Service
Program Description:
Interfaith Outreach is a human service nonprofit serving struggling families and individuals in the Twin Cities. Interfaith Outreach rallies resources and ignites the community to ensure all families live their best lives, all children succeed and the entire region prospers.
It started with a promise in a Wayzata church basement 40 years ago.We will build a community where everyone counts, where all children are cherished and protected, and where family life is valued and supported by all.
Since 1979, this great community has been doing just that – leading, rallying and igniting the power of people in the western suburbs of Minneapolis, Minnesota to address the critical needs of people living right here – our neighbors. What started as a small food shelf has become a resource for thousands of families in eight west Hennepin County communities.
Reliable transportation is a critical need in the suburbs where hospitals, schools, workplaces, stores and places of worship are often far apart and public transportation options are limited. Interfaith Outreach provides financial help for emergency car repairs and car payments to help people find and keep jobs. Volunteer drivers provide rides to medical appointments and Adult Basic Education and English Language Learning classes for residents of all incomes.
- Service Area:Hennepin County, Minnesota communities.
- Transportation Services Provided: Medical and Education Rides
- Eligibility Criteria: The following are eligible to receive transportation:
- Please Contact for eligbility information 763-489-7500.
- Application Details: TO SIGN UP/SCHEDULE FOR RIDES:
- Please Contact: 763-489-7500We will schedule an initial phone conversation with staff and will ask to see (or see a picture of) your picture identification (ID), and utility bill (heat, electric, etc.) dated within the last 30 days to confirm your address and we will ask you to sign a few forms. That can be done by email or by visiting us during front desk hours.
- Other Details:
- 1Free, donations encouraged.
- 2Medical and Education Rides are currently on hold due to COVID-19 restrictions. We will provide updates here when this program is reactivated.
Minneapolis American Indian Center – Senior Transportation Program
Program Description:
Founded in 1975, the Minneapolis American Indian Center has a rich history as one of the first urban American Indian Centers in the country, providing services otherwise often unavailable for urban American Indians.
The Minneapolis American Indian Center was initially formed by community members, and continues its roots today with majority American Indian leadership and staffing.
The Minneapolis American Indian Center is focused on serving a large and tribally diverse urban American Indian population, numbering well over 35,000 in the eleven-county Minneapolis-St. Paul metro areas. Our mission is lived through programs that are guided by strong Native values; this includes preserving and supporting cultural traditions through art, youth and inter-generational programs that promote healthy lifestyles.
- Service Area:Minneapolis, MN
- Transportation Services Provided: Medical appointments.Dental appointments.Shopping.Congregate Dining at the Minneapolis American Indian Center.Visits to the food shelf.Trips to the pharmacy.Social, health and wellness activities.
- Eligibility Criteria: The following are eligible to receive transportation:
- Must be 60 years of age or older.
- Must be in our service area.
- Application Details: TO SIGN UP/SCHEDULE FOR RIDES:
- Please Contact: George MartinTransportation Coordinator(612) 879-1747
- gmartin@maicnet.org
- Other Details:
- 1Must schedule rides at least 24 hours in advance.
- 2The suggested donation is $5.00 per ride.
- 3The Senior Transportation program is temporarily suspended until further notice due to COVID-19 and focusing on partnering with the Gatherings Cafe and MAIC staff to deliver Elder Lunches to the elders involved in our Congregate Dining program and other elders throughout the Twin Cities. Please keep checking back on updates on when we will start our normal Senior Transportation services.
Northeast Senior Services, Inc. – RIDES Volunteer Senior Transportation
Program Description:
The RIDES program serves Seniors, age 60 and over, who live in Northeast Minneapolis, Columbia Heights, Saint Anthony Village and New Brighton.
Our volunteer drivers use their own vehicles to transport seniors to appointments.
- Service Area:Northeast Minneapolis, Columbia Heights, Saint Anthony Village and New Brighton.
- Transportation Services Provided: Appointments.
- Eligibility Criteria: The following are eligible to receive transportation:
- Seniors, age 60 and over, who live in Northeast Minneapolis, Columbia Heights, Saint Anthony Village and New Brighton.
- Application Details: TO SIGN UP/SCHEDULE FOR RIDES:
- Please Contact: 612-781-5096.
- Other Details:
- 1Our volunteer drivers use their own vehicles to transport seniors to appointments.
- 2Call by NOON on Thursday to request a ride for the following Monday or after. If no one answers, please leave a message and we will get back to you as soon as we can.
- 3The suggested donation is $10.00 for a round trip ride, but you are welcome to give what you can afford.
- 4RIDES are provided Monday through Sunday during daylight hours. We suggest making appointments between 10 a.m. and 2:00 p.m., so that rush hour can be avoided.
- 5All riders must be able to walk to and from the vehicle and their appointment on their own.
- 6Riders may bring a walker or cane, but we are unable to transport wheelchairs or scooters.
Volunteers Enlisted to Assist People (VEAP) – Transportation Assistance
Program Description:
VEAP is a basic needs and social services organization whose programs promote access to healthy foods, stable housing and other supportive services.
VEAP’s programs are designed to address a particular need and when used together provide hope and can help avoid a financial crisis such as loss of housing, transportation or employment. Whether the hardship is from a disability, job transition, or the financial and physical stresses of aging, VEAP has been helping our neighbors in need for 45 years.
Transportation Assistance We offer rides home from VEAP’s Food Pantry for community members with transportation barriers and who access VEAP by public transit, family, and friends or other transportation options.
- Service Area:Bloomington, Edina, Richfield and the portion of south Minneapolis that includes zip codes of 55410, 55419 and 55417.
- Transportation Services Provided: To home from VEAP’s Food Pantry.
- Eligibility Criteria: The following are eligible to receive transportation:
- You must live in the area that includes Bloomington, Edina, Richfield and the portion of south Minneapolis that includes zip codes of 55410, 55419 and 55417.
- Show proof of residency, like a utility bill, at the time of your visit.
- Application Details: TO SIGN UP/SCHEDULE FOR RIDES:
- Please Contact: 952.888.9616
- Other Details:
- 1Over 50% of these rides are for seniors.
Anoka County Community Action Program – Senior Kinship Program
Program Description:
The Anoka County Community Action Program, Inc. (ACCAP) is an independent nonprofit agency, which began in 1965 under the Economic Opportunity Act.
Every year, ACCAP serves thousands of residents in Anoka County, Minnesota through a wide range of programs. A volunteer Governing Board, made up of representatives of the public sector, private sector, and the low-income community, directs the activities of ACCAP.
ACCAP is committed to helping disadvantaged individuals out of poverty and into the community as productive citizens. The agency offers educational opportunities, information and referral, and direct services, such as Head Start, Affordable Housing, and Child Care Aware of MN, Metro. These programs and services help residents achieve their goal of self-sufficiency.
The Community Action Program also works to educate the broader community and improve the general population’s attitude toward low-income and other disadvantaged persons. Anoka County residents can help their neighbors by volunteering at ACCAP in a variety of settings.ACCAP is funded by contracts with the federal government, the State of Minnesota, Anoka County local municipalities, foundations, the United Way, program fees, and donations. Private contributions remain in the community and are tax deductible.
Senior Kinship Program: The Senior Kinship Program connects volunteers to seniors living in Anoka County. Some services include companionship, outings, running errands, and providing medical and non-medical transportation. We strive to help people remain independent in their homes, and to provide a helping hand to Anoka County senior residents that may be isolated or home-bound.
Through community exposure and interactions with our clients, Senior Kinship Volunteers further ACCAP’s mission by empowering seniors who are low income, assisting them in achieving their dreams and aspirations.
- Service Area:St. Paul, Ramsey county
- Transportation Services Provided: Medical and non-medical transportation.
- Eligibility Criteria: The following are eligible to receive transportation:
- Must be 60 years of age or older.
- Must be a resident of Anoka County.
- Is not receiving a waiver.
- Application Details: TO SIGN UP/SCHEDULE FOR RIDES:
- Please Contact: 763-783-4745, or
- email SeniorKinship@accap.org
- Referral form: Senior Kinship Referral Form
- FAX to:763-783-4700
- mail to: Sarah AndersonSenior Kinship Program1201 89th Avenue Suite #345Blaine MN 55434763-783-4745
- Other Details:
- 1Free, Donations encouraged.
Jewish Community Center – Dignified Senior Transportation
Program Description:
The Minnesota JCC creates a vision and path for the future, providing new opportunities for growth and
sustainability – to reach more people, provide more programming and services, and to build upon what the JCCs do best. Building upon the JCCs shared Jewish values and cultures, the combined JCC continues to serve our entire community with an emphasis on serving others, inclusivity, community, mutual respect, excellence, and innovation.
The combined JCC includes two independent non-profit organizations. The Minnesota JCC operates all of the JCC programs and services at both Centers in Minneapolis and St. Paul. The Minnesota JCC Foundation, with the sole purpose of supporting the JCC, oversees the management and allocation of JCC invested funds and real estate assets.
- Service Area:Minnesota
- Transportation Services Provided: Medical appointments, errands and transportation to the JCC.
- Eligibility Criteria: The following are eligible to receive transportation:
- Individuals with limited access to transportation.
- Application Details: TO SIGN UP/SCHEDULE FOR RIDES:
- Please contact Tyzzarea Johnson, between Noon and 4PM at 651.255.4743.
- Other Details:
- 1Rides are provided based on a sliding fee scale and availability.
- 2We provide services Monday-Friday.
Meals on Wheels of Ramsey County – Dignified Senior Transportation
Program Description:
Meals on Wheels of Ramsey County is a service provided by the the Senior Services Consortium of Ramsey County (Minnesota).
The Consortium is a nonprofit organization composed of eight member agencies that provide Meals on Wheels and other senior services in Ramsey County. The members include four private social service agencies serving residents within the City of St. Paul and four suburban school districts that serve residents in the suburban Ramsey County area.
The member agencies of the Senior Services Consortium have been collaborating through an informal partnership for more than 40 years. Through this durable partnership, each agency has worked diligently to provide Meals on Wheels and other services within its own geographic area, while also collaborating for the overall good of the people of Ramsey County.Each year, through the Consortium, more than 165,000 meals are delivered to older adults in Ramsey County. This is possible with the help of over 2,000 community volunteers. Thousands more seniors are assisted through other in-home and center-based services provided by the member agencies. The kinds of services vary from agency to agency depending on the needs of each neighborhood or community.
Services delivered to seniors in their homes include transportation to medical appointments and grocery stores, home health assistance, homemaker services, peer counseling, and telephone reassurance. Services offered through the agency centers include education classes, health services, social/recreational opportunities, nutrition programs, and information and referral.
- Service Area:Ramsey County
- Transportation Services Provided: Medical appointments and grocery shopping.
- Eligibility Criteria: The following are eligible to receive transportation:
- Elderly, disabled, homebound.
- Application Details: TO SIGN UP/SCHEDULE FOR RIDES:
- Please Contact: 651-266-4107
- email@mealsonwheels-rc.org
- Other Details:
- 1Donations encouraged.
Semcac – Volunteer Drivers & Donation-Based Rides
Program Description:
Semcac is a Community Action Agency. Our mission is to empower and advocate for people to enhance their self-sufficiency by maximizing community resources.
We are committed to providing outstanding services supported by caring, compassionate staff, earning the trust of all. We are led by our mission, vision and values, considering them in all our decision making as we continually seek to improve our services. We treat everyone fairly and with dignity by listening and acknowledging different viewpoints.
Semcac Volunteer Driver Program provides transportation for persons on Medical Assistance, Blue Plus and UCare to medical and dental appointments. This program also provides transportation to anyone who is 60 years and older to medical, dental or personal appointments as well as to senior congregate dining.
RHT is a fare based public transit but does offer free COVID 19 vaccination rides. VDP is income based sliding fee scale donation, no ride is refused due to inability to pay.
- Service Area: The service area for VDP is Winona, Fillmore, Houston, Dodge, Steele and Waseca counties. The service area for RHT is Olmsted, Winona, Fillmore, Houston and Dodge counties.
- Transportation Services Provided: Semcac offers transportation via Rolling Hills Transit (public demand response bus service) and the Volunteer Driver Program (volunteer driven personal vehicles). Medical, dental or personal appointments as well as to senior congregate dining.
- Eligibility Criteria: The following are eligible to receive transportation:
- 60 years and older
- Application Details: TO SIGN UP/SCHEDULE FOR RIDES:
- Phone contact is 1-800-528-7622, option 1 RHT, option 2 VDP and 1-800-627-3529 for TTY/TDD service.
- rhtbus@semcac.org
- To email a request or send us information please use our Semcac Message Center.
- Other Details:
- 1Riders receive a monthly letter requesting a donation for the cost of their rides (if they are not on Medical Assistance).
- 2Donation requests are based on a sliding fee scale, according to income.
- 348 hour advance notice is required, please call in advance.
- 4Transportation operations address is 400 Commerce Dr. SE Kasson, MN 55944
WellRide – Transportation Services
Program Description:
WellRide is a family owned and operated company located in Duluth, MN. Joe Drexler and his wife Tina have both worked in social services and healthcare the span of their careers. Tina as a clinician and Joe as an administrator.
WellRide was started to meet the transportation gap in the northland. Both have first hand knowledge of the need in their and surrounding communities and are devoted to serving it by providing affordable quality transportation. WellRide aims to be the premiere partner to customers while being of service to those in need.
- Service Area: Counties served in northeast Minnesota: Carlton Itasca, Lake, St. Louis Counties served in northwest Wisconsin: Bayfield, Burnett, Douglas, Sawyer, Washburn
- Transportation Services Provided: Medical appointments.Hospital discharges.Between medical facilities.Personal and social visits.Long distance trips.
- Eligibility Criteria: The following are eligible to receive transportation:
- No specific eligibility criteria.
- Application Details: TO SIGN UP/SCHEDULE FOR RIDES:
- Please Contact: (218) 409-RIDE
- info@mywellride.com
- Book Online
- Other Details:
- 1WellRide is happy to partner with the following payors: HealthPartners, Medica, Minnesota Medicaid (MTM), UCare, Wisconsin Medicaid (MTM).
- 2WellRide offer the best pricing in the northland with: Non-covered service discount, Uninsured discount, Senior discount, Veteran discount, Frequent rider program.
