Starting Saturday, SamTrans will begin accepting applications for a pilot program offering subsidized taxi service for seniors and people with disabilities within San Carlos, Redwood City and North Fair Oaks.
The Ride Now program has eligible community members, including existing Redi-Wheels customers, paying a $5 co-pay per one-way trip, as well as any meter fare amount exceeding $25. Program participants can take up to eight qualifying one-way trips per month. Taxi trips in this program must start and end within San Carlos, Redwood City, and North Fair Oaks, according to SamTrans.
Once enrolled, customers can book trips directly through Serra Yellow Cab.
Four taxi subsidy programs are part of the pilot program in San Mateo County, the others of which operate in Pacifica, San Mateo and Daly City. Funded by a Federal Transit Administration through April 2021, the program aims to meet a need for affordable, same-day transportation for seniors and people with disabilities in South County.
“The pilot aims to meet that demand and potentially offset some of the high operating cost of Redi-Wheels paratransit service, which provides over 1,000 trips per month within the Ride Now coverage area,” according to SamTrans.
Riders can access applications through SamTrans’ website or by calling 1.800.660.4287 (TTY 650.508.6448).
