Transportation:
What Caregivers Should Know

According to a 2021 survey by the National Aging and Disability Transportation Center (NADTC), more than 40%  of older and disabled adults rely on family, friends and neighbors for rides, and 75% of caregivers consider providing or arranging transport as one of their primary duties. While it’s no secret that transportation and mobility issues are complicated, many caregivers don’t know where to turn when they have questions. Read on for valuable information that caregivers should know for themselves and for their loved ones.

Cost and types of services vary widely within Orange County

Eligibility for public transportation services depend on where you live. For example, Chapel Hill Transit’s (CHT) services are available daily for people that live within the town limits of Carrboro and Chapel Hill and are always fare-free, but they are not available for most trips outside CH/Carrboro town limits. Orange County Public Transit (OCPT) serves county residents that live within the town limits of Hillsborough and in areas outside Carrboro/Chapel Hill and offers weekday fixed route service. They also offer Mobility On Demand (MOD) service on Fridays from 5 to 9 pm and on Saturdays from 9 am to 5 pm. The cost to ride OCPT varies from $0 to $25.50 round-trip and is dependent on where you live and the type of service ­­­­­­needed.

There are different types of public transportation

Public transportation providers in Orange County offer fixed route and demand-response services. Fixed bus routes are probably what you think of when you think of the bus—a public transit vehicle travels along a pre-determined route and makes scheduled stops at points along the route. Demand-response services go where the rides are needed and don’t travel along a regular route. They require a rider to make a reservation for pickup in advance and will usually require a rider to register or certify with a public transit provider before a ride can be booked. Orange County Public Transportation (OCPT), GoTriangle, and Piedmont Authority for Regional Transportation (PART) operate fixed routes in Orange County. CHT and OCPT are the major service providers in Orange County; GoTriangle and PART offer service that spans the Triad and the Triangle.

Paratransit and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

CHT, OCPT, and other public transportation providers are required to provide “complementary paratransit service” for people who are unable to use the fixed bus routes due to a disability. These services operate during the same hours and in the same areas as the fixed routes. It’s a common misconception that people with disabilities are automatically eligible for ADA paratransit service due to a disability, but that is not the case. Eligible Carrboro and Chapel Hill residents are usually served by Chapel Hill Transit’s EZ Rider service. County residents that live outside Chapel Hill and Carrboro are eligible for ADA paratransit service from Orange County Public Transportation if they live within ¾ miles of one of OCPT’s three fixed routes, the Hillsborough Circulator, the Orange-Alamance Connector, and the Orange-Chapel Hill Connector. 

Private Transportation Options

In addition to local taxi services, transportation networking/rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft can also work well for riders that are comfortable with more tech-y options that may require a smartphone. Another option is GoGoGrandparent, a subscription service that lets you book Uber and Lyft rides by calling 855-464-6872 from a cell phone or landline. Membership plans start at $9.99 a month.

Volunteer Driving Program

The Orange County Department on Aging offers a Volunteer Driving Program (VDP) to county residents that are 55 and over. The program currently has 7 volunteer drivers that receive ride requests from over 100 registered riders. Because drivers use their own private vehicles, riders must be able to get in and out of a car with minimal assistance. Registered riders must request a ride in advance, but the ride isn’t guaranteed until a driver is assigned. The program is for essential destinations, loosely defined as trips that are important for the passenger’s well-being. The length of trip may not be longer than 1 hour in each direction. Type of trips include, but are not limited to, medical appointments, grocery shopping, and visits to government offices and banks.

For more information about the Volunteer Driving Program or any other service mentioned in this article, please contact Brandi Beeker, Transportation Specialist at 919-717-1853, bbeeker@orangecountync.gov, Monday-Friday from 9 am to 5 pm.

In Need of Incontinence Supplies?

Thanks to generous donations, the Department on Aging has a supply of incontinence supplies including: bed pads, pull up briefs, adult diapers, wipes, and adult booster pads. If you are in need of any of these items, we may be able to provide you with up to one pack per month (depending on availability of the items requested). Contact the Aging Helpline (919-968-2087 or Agingtransitions@Orangecountync.gov) to request supplies.