Oceanside’s Senior Transportation Program is designed for seniors 65 years and better; without a driver’s license and that either do not qualify for paratransit services or that cannot access other public transportation options. Solutions for Seniors on the Go provides three different transportation service options for varying needs of each individual senior – Taxi Scrip, Senior Shuttle, and Volunteer Drivers. Every program may not necessarily work for every senior.

Taxi Scrip began in June 2006 as the first-ever curb-to-curb transportation program for Oceanside seniors in partnership with Yellow Cab of North County. It began as a 6-month pilot program that due to its successes, staff decided to continue the program in 2007 and 2008. The City Council recently approved another year within its Bi-annual General Fund Budget.

Taxi Scrip costs $7 for a ride booklet valued at $20. The City pays the remaining $13. The program is intended for trips within the City of Oceanside as well as the medical facilities along Vista Way and Thunder Drive, and the Vista Transit Center. Yellow Cab recommends that seniors call ahead to make reservations. Even with a reservation, Yellow Cab cannot guarantee on-demand immediate pick-up. Riders should plan accordingly.

Shuttle service began in September 2007 thanks to a generous donation made by the Genentech Foundation of $115,000. The shuttle service is entirely grant funded and is only guaranteed continuance as long as funding is secured. The service is currently funded through March 2009 by the Genentech Foundation and SAFETEA-LU federal transit dollars.

The shuttle service costs the senior $5 per one-way trip and is a door-to-door transportation service contracted with American Logistics, Inc. The service provides transportation to any location within the City limits as well as the medical facilities along Thunder Drive and Vista Way, the Carlsbad Kaiser facility, and the Encinitas Scripps Medical Complex. Seniors are required to make reservations with American Logistics anytime from 1-week in advance up to 1-hour in advance. Riders are recommended to make separate reservations for return trips and should also inform the reservation coordinator about any special needs such as extra time for dialysis, a need for a wheel-chair or scooter accessible vehicle, or a vehicle with a ramp.

The volunteer driver service is currently being established through the recruitment of volunteers. The program will begin at the end of August 2008 and is the most personalized service in the Solutions for Seniors on the Go program. Volunteer drivers are provided mileage reimbursements up to 150 miles per month for providing transportation and destination assistance to seniors.

The volunteer driver service is free to the senior client and is a door-through-door service. The senior client will request a ride connection through the senior center and will be assigned a volunteer driver. The volunteer will then pick the senior up at his/her residence, assist them to the vehicle including the carrying of bags, drive the senior to his/her destination, provide assistance at the destination or simply wait at the doctors office, and then return the senior home – again providing assistance with bags or groceries. The volunteer is not a caretaker and WILL NOT assist with things such as but not limited to getting dressed, using the restroom or putting groceries away. If a senior requires caretaker services they should contact the senior center to find out where to obtain those services. All volunteers are fingerprinted and are put through an extensive background check including a DMV printout of his/her driving record.

TIPS and gratuity is okay on a taxi scrip ride, however is NOT ACCEPTED in the shuttle service or volunteer driver service.

For more details on any senior transportation service contact Cheryl Stone at the Oceanside Senior Citizens Center:

Cheryl Stone, Transportation Coordinator
Oceanside Senior Citizens Center
455 Country Club Lane
Oceanside, CA 92054
(760) 435-5250 Ext. 5012

Solutions for Seniors on the Go requires only one registration form for all three services for your convenience. Complete this form and take or send to the senior center at the above address along with a valid identification for age and residency verification.

Senior Transportation Program Application (84 KB)