Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The county has a variety of transportation programs for the elderly and disabled.
https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/DOT-Transit/special-transportation/
I know one of my neighbors uses this to get to appointments.

Thank you PP, but my mom doesn't feel safe nor do I feel safe having her take in the Ride-On bus. She doesn't need or qualify for subsidized transportation - finances are not an issue, so the Call-n-Ride service really should be reserved for those who cannot afford to pay, and the Metro Access service is for disabled. My mom is very able-bodied. She is active, and cognitively 100% there. She just no longer feels comfortable driving on roads with so many aggressive drivers. thanks again.

Interesting that you think ride-on is unsafe but uber is a super safe alternative.

Interesting that you didn't take the time to read what I wrote. I wrote "Uber like" service (alternative) for the elderly. Nowhere did I say that Uber was safer than Ride-On. But also yes, in my opinion city buses are not safe especially for the vulnerable.

What I have seen with my mom's aging (86) - is that waiting for a bus, climbing onto a bus, getting off a bus, being able to see or know what stop to get off at, walking to/from a bus stop are all issues. Her eyesight is getting worse, and her anxiety about the unknown is growing. So I would argue that it's not the bus that is unsafe, but accessing the bus, especially for seniors who aren't tech savvy. Her issues are also the same for an Uber. Until she moved closer to us, we found a family local to her house with members who had safe driving records and knew her and were looking for extra cash. We paid them to pick her up/wait/bring her home from appointments. It did take a lot of work to schedule everything.

Anonymous wrote:Most economical option would a local stay at/work from home woman who can use a side gig.

https://dmvlimos.com/corporate-2/

I’m that person - an early retiree empty nester who would like to do that kind of driving, but I don't know where to start. I was thinking of applying to Rubirides, which advertises that they drive both kids and seniors, but another thread said Rubirides had ghosted them and was maybe out of business?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My 80 year old Dad started using Uber a few years ago and is now friendly with a few older drivers and uses them exclusively.

OP here - I love this. I guess that is what I'm hoping will happen, that my mom will find a particular driver she likes and feels safe with. Out of curiosity, how does your dad connect with the same few drivers? Doesn't the app assign the drivers? Or are these drivers off of the "uber clock" when they drive for your dad?

I know he has the cell of a few of them, from what I remember they come to his street, then he requests a ride, they accept it instantly. I would assume at this point they bypass Uber and he pays them direct so they get it all vs Uber taking a cut.

Look up Naborforce in our area. Might be more what you’re looking for!

Dear Lord, OP, there is such a thing as a taxi in outer Silver Spring. Barwood. If they're too expensive, experiment with a senior-friendly smartphone and download Uber for her. Maybe she'll surprise you.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The county has a variety of transportation programs for the elderly and disabled.
https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/DOT-Transit/special-transportation/
I know one of my neighbors uses this to get to appointments.

Thank you PP, but my mom doesn't feel safe nor do I feel safe having her take in the Ride-On bus. She doesn't need or qualify for subsidized transportation - finances are not an issue, so the Call-n-Ride service really should be reserved for those who cannot afford to pay, and the Metro Access service is for disabled. My mom is very able-bodied. She is active, and cognitively 100% there. She just no longer feels comfortable driving on roads with so many aggressive drivers. thanks again.

Interesting that you think ride-on is unsafe but uber is a super safe alternative.

Interesting that you didn't take the time to read what I wrote. I wrote "Uber like" service (alternative) for the elderly. Nowhere did I say that Uber was safer than Ride-On. But also yes, in my opinion city buses are not safe especially for the vulnerable.

I think it depends on where she lives and where she's going. My mom lives in Rockville and has never driven so she takes the bus everywhere. She's 70. As the area has become less safe, I continue to remind her not to "scold" young people who aren't following community rules because they don't respect adults like they did in the 90s and eay 2000s.

Ironically though with all the carjackings, public transport seems safer than driving!

That being said, she is not tech savvy and this weekend I called her an Uber from my phone. That's always an option if you know in advance when she'll need a ride.

Picking a private person as a driver you need to wonder are they an actual company with car service license and insurance, or just a person.
I used Uber as a senior on crutches and it never was creepy. Don't use it now because I am covid scared even in a mask but would if my car broke down and the driver let me open windows.
Uber is imo safer than taxi.

Maybe it is time for her to move. My mom loved living in downtown silver spring. She could walk to Whole foods, movie theatres, restaurants, the library, etc. Being in a remote out suburb is not serving your mom.

Anonymous wrote:yes

What is this emoji referring to?

Anonymous wrote:Uber Black?

Is there an additional level of scrutiny by Uber when they hire drivers for Uber Black?

I used Uber Comfort when I was injured for a while and had a hard time getting back and forth to medical appointments. Big thing is slightly nicer cars and they will wait for up to 10 minutes for you before a cancellation fee.

https://www.uber.com/us/en/ride/uber-comfort/

yes

There are people that seem extremely nice to the elderly and then end up robbing them of everything they own. If you were a con artist, Uber would be a great way to meet an elderly mark. Like karate teaching for pedophiles.

Uber Black?