Free Transportation for Seniors in Missouri

By Maurice

If you’re looking for free transportation for seniors in Missouri, you’re in the right place!This page is a complete resource for free transportation for the elderly in the state of Missouri.Check out the resources below, and if you have a resource to add, please contact us!

Map of Free Transportation for Seniors in Missouri

List of Free Transportation for Seniors in Missouri

MARC Department of Aging – Reserved Transportation & Wheelchair Transportation

Program Description:

When older adults need help in Cass, Clay, Jackson, Platte and Ray counties, we are the first call. We encourage, coordinate, and deliver community-based services that link local, public, private, voluntary, and corporate resources.

An older adult may have resources to arrange for assistance from others, such as a network of family, friends, and neighbors. But an older adult who is unable to meet particular needs through such an informal network must increasingly draw upon support from the larger community.

This outside support may include a hot meal enjoyed with friends in the community, transportation to the doctor, home-delivered meals, or services that help older people live how and where they wish.

Ultimately, the effectiveness of an Area Agency on Aging depends upon the ability to appropriately match services to the needs of each individual. This is the calling of an Area Agency on Aging . . . and it defines our identity.This is who we are.

Our services, programs and advocacy help older adults and their caregivers to be resilient. They are designed to keep individuals healthy and in the community.

TransportationWe contract with local transportation companies to provide transportation to doctor’s offices, clinics and hospitals for medical appointments. Lift-ramps are available to individuals requiring the use of mobility devices.

• Service Area:Cass, Clay, Jackson, Platte and Ray counties
• Transportation Services Provided: Medical appointments.
• Eligibility Criteria: The following are eligible to receive transportation:

• Adults 60 years of age or older.

• Application Details: TO SIGN UP/SCHEDULE FOR RIDES:

• Please Contact: 816-421-4980 or 800-593-7948

• Other Details: 

1. 1Lift-ramps are available to individuals requiring the use of mobility devices.
2. 2Donations encouraged.

City Seniors Inc. – Senior Transportation

Program Description:

Incorporated in 1972 as a not for profit organization under 501(c)3, our founding fathers consisted of businesspersons from the Gravois Business Association who named the organization Bevo 2001.

The organization has evolved as often as its name. While proud of our neighborhood roots and name(s) Bevo, Bevo 2001, Bevo Organization, Bevo Center, and Bevo Community Improvement Corporation; in 2012 the Board of Directors voted to change the name once again, this time to City Seniors, Inc., a name that better reflects the services and people we currently serve. City Seniors has streamlined its mission to focus on serving the senior population in the south St. Louis area with transportation, home-delivered meals, a senior center and a neighborhood food pantry.

• Service Area:St. Louis, St. Louis county
• Transportation Services Provided: Doctor appointment, need to get groceries, beauty/barber, or need transportation to other locations.
• Eligibility Criteria: The following are eligible to receive transportation:

• St. Louis city residents 60 years and older, their spouses and caregivers (caregivers must be over 18). Persons with disabilities ages 18-59 are eligible with certification of disability.

• Application Details: TO SIGN UP/SCHEDULE FOR RIDES:

• Please Contact: 314.352.0141

• Other Details: 

1. 1Caregivers assisting clients to medical appointments ride at no charge.
2. 2$6 (suggested contribution) $3 each way plus $2 for each additional pre-planned location.
3. 3Medicals: Doctor Offices or Hospitals within St. Louis City limits, St. Mary’s Hospital, Brentwood Towers. Mercy South (Monday’s only) St. Louis County – restrictions apply.
4. 4Shopping and Group trips: Tuesday and Thursday to grocery stores. Mall trips, Target, Wal-Mart. Check out our calendar.
5. 5Luncheon Trips: Scheduled on Fridays. Pre-planned destinations listed on our calendar.
6. 6Banking, Business & Hairdressers: Daily

St. Louis Area Agency on Aging – Acquire Transportation for Seniors

Program Description:

The St. Louis Area Agency on Aging (SLAAA) provides a comprehensible and coordinated system of community-based services for older adults in the City of St. Louis.

The Agency’s objectives are to secure and maintain maximum independence and dignity in a home environment and encourage economic, social and personal independence of older persons by providing opportunities for employment, socialization, and volunteer activities in the community.

• Service Area:St. Louis City
• Transportation Services Provided: Doctor, the hospital, or the dialysis center, SLAAA-sponsored senior centers within the City, necessary governmental or bank business, ecessary shopping at the grocery store or drug store, SLAAA related festivities or activities.
• Eligibility Criteria: The following are eligible to receive transportation:

• St. Louis City resident age 60 or older.
• OR St. Louis City resident with disabilities age 18-59.

• Application Details: TO SIGN UP/SCHEDULE FOR RIDES:

• Please Contact: (314) 612-5918

• Other Details: 

1. 1A contribution for all rides is asked and highly suggested. You will not be refused service if you are unable to pay.
2. 2Monday to Friday 8am – 5pm.
3. 3Transportation service is normally provided Monday-Friday, between 7:30am and 5pm and is subject to availability.
4. 4SLAAA also offers discounted bus passes on a limited basis.

Missouri Department of Social Services – Non-Emergency Medical Transportation

Program Description:

NEMT stands for Non-Emergency Medical Transportation. The purpose of the NEMT program is to ensure transportation to eligible MO HealthNet Division (MHD) fee-for-service and managed care health

plan participants who do not have access to free appropriate transportation to and from scheduled -MHD covered services. The NEMT program may use public transportation or bus tokens, vans, taxi, ambulance, or even an airplane if necessary to get you to your health care appointment. You may also be able to get help with gas costs if you have a car, or have a friend or a neighbor who can take you. The NEMT program must approve this before your appointment.

• Service Area:Springfield, Greene county
• Transportation Services Provided: Non-Emergency Medical Transportation.
• Eligibility Criteria: The following are eligible to receive transportation:

• You must be on MO HealthNet or MO HealthNet Managed Care on the day of your appointment. People in a MO HealthNet Managed Care Health Plan get their NEMT services from the health plan. Some people on MO HealthNet or MO HealthNet Managed Care do not get NEMT services as part of their benefits. The NEMT program will let you know if your benefits do not cover NEMT.

• Application Details: TO SIGN UP/SCHEDULE FOR RIDES:

• Please Contact: 1-866-269-5927.

• Other Details: 

1. 1You must call at least 5 calendar days before the day of the appointment or you may not get NEMT.
2. 2You may call this number Monday through Friday, 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. for regular scheduled appointments.
3. 3You may be able to get a ride sooner if a medical problem comes up and your doctor says you can be seen.For these “urgent care appointments,” you can call us 24 hours, 7 days a week.
4. 4An appointment with a health care provider that takes MO HealthNet or MO HealthNet Managed Care.
5. 5An appointment for a service covered by MO HealthNet or MO HealthNet Managed Care.
6. 6An appointment with a health care provider near where you live. If the provider is far away, you may need to say why and get a note from your doctor. There are rules about how far you can travel to a health care appointment and get a ride from the NEMT program.

OATS Transit

Program Description:

OATS Transit is a 501(c)3 nonprofit corporation providing transportation to 87 counties in Missouri. We provide specialized transportation for thousands of Missourians, including the rural general public, senior citizens and people with disabilities.

Our services will be available to everyone without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability, age, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other factor prohibited by law.

OATS Transit offers a shared-ride, demand-response, door-to-door service. Many of our routes will connect you to other transportation services such as Amtrak, airports or intercity bus services. You can view our bus schedules here or by calling us at 888-875-6287. Our services range from taking toddlers to preschool, getting people to work each day, taking patients to life-saving medical appointments, and taking people shopping so they can continue living independently. We also offer contract transportation service for agencies.

The seeds for OATS Transit were first sown in 1970 when a group of Missourians returned from a White House Conference on Aging in which transportation was cited as a barrier for many people, especially in rural areas. Fostered by the extensive need for transportation, the organization grew exponentially and by 1973 was located in over 80 Missouri counties.

We have grown to be one of the largest and most unique systems of its kind in the country. Our company is committed to sustainability and the people who make up our employee workforce. Our commitment to cultural synergy and organizational change makes our team stronger and more efficient, which allows us to continue serving thousands of Missourians. Our commitment to Operating Above the Standard is what sets us apart from others!

OATS Transit has received numerous awards and recognition over the last four decades. In 2016, OATS Transit was named the Rural Community Transportation System of the Year by the Community Transportation Association of America, and Transit Champions by MO Public Transit Association. OATS Transit takes pride in knowing they are the largest and most unique rural transportation provider in the entire country.

• Service Area: They cover 87 counties in Missouri. For schedule, phone number and fare for each county click here.
• Transportation Services Provided: Public Transport.
• Eligibility Criteria: The following are eligible to receive transportation:

• OATS Transit is available to anyone regardless of age, income, disability, race, gender, religion, or national origin.

• Application Details: TO SIGN UP/SCHEDULE FOR RIDES:

• To find OATS Transit office in your county click here.

• Other Details: 

1. 1Calls must be made between 9:00 am-2:00 pm, Monday-Friday at least 24-48 hours in advance.
2. 2Medical Transportation Days: Monday-Friday.
3. 3Shopping Transportation Days:Camdenton, Roach, Macks Creek, Climax Springs: Every TuesdayLake Ozark, Osage Beach: Every Thursday.
4. 4Share the Harvest Food Pantry: To schedule a trip to the Food Pantry please call 24-48 hours in advance for a ride.
5. 5Camdenton, Linn Creek, Macks Creek, Sunrise Beach to Workshop: Monday-Thursday (6:30am-8:30am & 3:00pm-5:00pm).
6. 6Fares (one-way): In – Town: $2.00, Within County: $3.00, Adjacent County: $4.00Long Distance (Beyond 2 Counties): $3.00 per countySeniors 60+ Ride for Free in Camden County

Healthy Blue Missouri – Nonemergency Transportation Services

Program Description:

Healthy Blue is a managed care plan for MO HealthNet Managed Care members in Missouri. Our family of BlueSM has more than three decades of experience in Medicaid providing access to quality, low-cost health care.

Healthy Blue is a Medicaid product offered by Missouri Care, Inc., a MO HealthNet Managed Care health plan contracting with the Missouri Department of Social Services. Healthy Blue is administered by Missouri Care, Inc. in cooperation with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City.

Missouri Care, Inc. and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City are both independent licensees of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.

• Service Area:Missouri.
• Transportation Services Provided: Medical appointments.
• Eligibility Criteria: The following are eligible to receive transportation:

• Live in Missouri.
• Meet income and resource guidelines.
• Are in one of these groups:Pregnant womenIndividuals age 18 or youngerLow-income individuals and familiesFormer foster care youth

• Application Details: TO SIGN UP/SCHEDULE FOR RIDES:

• Call MTM at 888-597-1193 (TTY 711) or visit the MTM website to set up your ride.
• Apply for MO HealthNet Managed Care benefits:A- Online: Missouri DSSB- By phone: Call the Family Support Division (FSD)’s FSD Information Center at 855-373-4636 Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. or Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.. You can also request a paper application.C- In person: Visit a local Family Support office

• Other Details: 

1. 1Eligible members can get no-cost rides to medical appointments from Medical Transportation Management (MTM).
2. 2You or your provider should call to schedule your ride at least three business days before your appointment.

City Utilities Transit Services – Access Express

Program Description:

City Utilities Transit Services offers Access Express as an origin-to-destination transportation service for certified riders who are unable to use the regular fixed-route bus due to a disability or health condition. In order to utilize this service, riders must be pre-approved.

• Service Area:Springfield, MO
• Transportation Services Provided: Public Transport.
• Eligibility Criteria: The following are eligible to receive transportation:

• Eligibility for this service is dependent upon the individual’s inability to use the regular fixed route buses. All riders must complete an application for certification for paratransit eligibility unless they are visitors to the Springfield area. A physician, health professional, or rehabilitation professional must verify all applications.

• Application Details: TO SIGN UP/SCHEDULE FOR RIDES:

• To make a reservation you may call 417-831-8711 between the hours of 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. Monday through Friday.
• To apply please fill the Application:
• Mail to:City Utilities of Springfield, Missouri1505 N. BoonvilleSpringfield, MO 65803Phone# (417) 831-8782FAX # (417) 831-8803

• Other Details: 

1. 1The cost for a one-way ride using the Access Express service is $2.50 per rider.
2. 2If two individuals from the same household are approved for paratransit service on their own merits, then both shall be responsible for payment and scheduling of their rides taken separately or together.
3. 3The Access Express service mirrors fixed route hours of service and operates Monday through Saturday, between the hours of 6 A.M. and 11:10 P.M., and on Sundays from 7:10 A.M. until11:10 P.M.
4. 4Reservations can be made for next day service and up to one week (7 days) in advance.
5. 5If we are transporting you for a MO HealthNet (Medicaid) medical appointment, we need the physician’s name for Medicaid billing purposes.

SeniorAge Area Agency on Aging – Transportation

Program Description:

SeniorAge has been serving thousands of seniors in southwest Missouri since 1973 through the many programs, senior centers, and numerous programs and services we offer.

We primarily serve seniors age 60+ and their caregivers. Seniors qualify for our services on the basis of need, not income. Our service recipients have the opportunity to contribute toward the cost of their services, but services are not affected by the ability to contribute.

When the OAA Older Americans Act passed in 1965, State Units on Aging (SUAs) were formed to receive each state’s share of funding. Missouri’s first State Units on Aging was the Office of Special Services within the Division of Family Services.

In 1972, Missouri was divided into 21 planning and service areas (PSAs) called Regional Councils on Aging. Each council received a planning grant to identify local senior needs, and then to coordinate grass-roots services to meet those needs.

TransportationThe availability of transportation options greatly affects quality of life, including the ability to remain independent an in one’s own home.Many older adults, particulary those people living in rural and suburban areas, often have little or no means for getting to doctor visits, grocery shopping, and other essential needs. SeniorAge is fortunate to have partnering organizations in the majority of our service area who aid in the transportation needs of the aging. Through local tax boards and grants, we are also able to provide arrangements for trips to essential destinations.

• Service Area:Barry, Christian, Dade, Dallas, Douglas, Greene, Howell, Lawrence, Oregon, Ozark, Polk, Shannon, Stone, Taney , Texas, Webster, Wright
• Transportation Services Provided: Doctor visits, grocery shopping, and other essential needs.
• Eligibility Criteria: The following are eligible to receive transportation:

• Adults 60 years of age or older.

• Application Details: TO SIGN UP/SCHEDULE FOR RIDES:

• Please Contact: Call: (417) 862-0762Toll Free: (800) 497-0822

• Other Details: 

1. 1Donations encouraged.

Aging Best (Central Missouri Area Agency on Aging) – Transportation Services

Program Description:

We are still the Area Agency on Aging proudly covering 19 counties in Central Missouri.

We have evolved into AGING BEST to provide innovative ideas, new and exciting programs, and increased advocacy to best serve everyone in our service area who may need our help.

• Service Area:Central Missouri
• Transportation Services Provided: Information not available.
• Eligibility Criteria: The following are eligible to receive transportation:

• Adults 60 years of age or older.

• Application Details: TO SIGN UP/SCHEDULE FOR RIDES:

• Please Contact: (800) 369-5211

• Other Details: 

1. 1Persons receiving services are invited to voluntarily and confidentially contribute toward the cost of the service. according to the Missouri Division of Senior and Disability Services, Area Agencies on Aging & services

• Support Services