Seniors & Accessible Transportation Services
Photo credit: Santa Cruz METRO
A range of specialized transportation services are available for seniors and people with disabilities.
A Guide to Specialized Transportation Services for seniors and people with disabilities in Santa Cruz County is published by the RTC. This Guide lists all the accessible transportation services available in Santa Cruz County including:
- Program, service or provider name
- Eligibility requirements
- Hours/schedule
- Service charges
- Service area
- How to request the service
- How trips are prioritized
- Number of vehicles available
- Whether wheelchairs are accommodated
- Link to the service website (if available)
ParaCruz (operated by Santa Cruz Metro) and Lift Line (operated by Community Bridges) are key providers of local accessible transportation services.
The RTC’s Elderly & Disabled Transportation Advisory Committee (E&D TAC) generally meets every even numbered month and advises the RTC on planning, policy and funding issues affecting accessible transportation. All are welcome to attend the E&D TAC meetings. Voting members include citizens, representatives from groups/agencies working with seniors and people with disabilities, and transportation service providers.
In 2013, the RTC produced a report evaluating the Mobility Needs and Bus Use of Aging and Disabled Adults. The report is intended to help planners understand how the bus system can play a role in maintaining mobile independence for aging adults in Santa Cruz County and identify other transportation system improvements that may sustain mobile independence in older adults. The funding for this project was through a Caltrans Planning Transit Intern Grant. Without the support of Caltrans, this project would not have been possible.
Unmet Needs
A list of Unmet Transit and Specialized Transportation Needs is drafted by the E&D TAC and is reviewed and adopted by the Regional Transportation Commission at a public hearing. The list serves to highlight these needs for decision makers as well as provide instruction about how to prioritize funding for specialized transportation projects.
RTC Contact
Grace Blakeslee
Transportation Planner
info@sccrtc.org
(831) 460-3200