Volunteer Transportation Program for Older Adults

Office for the Aging arranges rides for persons 60 and older. VOLUNTEERS provide the rides and are reimbursed by the Office for the Aging. Contributions of at least $4.00/ride are suggested. Do not give money to the volunteer. Send it to the Office for the Aging, 6085 Route 19N, Belmont, NY 14813.

Please note: Rides are not guaranteed, but are arranged as volunteers are available.  We reserve the right to deny a ride based on availability and eligibility.  If for any reason, you can’t go on the ride you set up with the OFA, you must call our office and cancel the ride.  Excessive cancellations may result in denial of future requests. If a ride is not cancelled, it is counted as part of the monthly total of rides you received.

Transportation is available for:

• Medical Appointments (but not Medicaid clients)
• Bank
• Grocery Shopping (Limit 4/mo)
• Pharmacy
• Office for the Aging Luncheon Centers/Functions
• Support Groups/Counseling

Rides are for local appointments, or to specialists in Olean, Hornell, Dansville or Warsaw. If ride is to other areas, some volunteers hire privately. Arrangements are made by client who pays volunteer directly.

To Arrange a Ride 

1. At least FIVE BUSINESS DAYS before you need the ride, call the Office for the Aging (585) 268-9390 or toll-free 1-866-268-9390 between 9:00am – 12:00pm.
2. Client must call OFA to set up the ride, or driver will not be reimbursed for the ride.
3. Medical rides are arranged as needed.
4. Grocery Shopping rides are limited to 2 times a month and to the closest available store.
5. Clients must be able to walk by themselves, or need minimal assistance (no wheelchairs).
6. Seatbelts must be worn while riding in volunteers’ vehicles.
7. Clients can’t take pets in volunteers’ cars; and must keep pets under control in client’s home when volunteer picks up client.
8. No smoking is allowed in volunteer vehicles, unless volunteer permits it. Do not ask volunteer to stop for smoke breaks during the ride. If you wish to smoke, do so before you enter the vehicle or after you reach your destination.
9. Drivers only take clients to places set up through the Office for the Aging. (NO EXTRAS after client is picked up by driver the day of the ride.)
10. Rides are not guaranteed, but are arranged, as volunteers are available.

To Become a Volunteer Driver
If you are interested in becoming a volunteer driver for the Office for the Aging please contact Lynn at 585-268-9390 for more information.