Transportation Options for Older Adults
In late 2022, City staff was informed by SamTrans of a Call for Projects to help fund the free midday community shuttle in the Bayshore/Brisbane area, which is also referred to as the Bayshore Brisbane Senior Shuttle. Including this shuttle in the Call for Projects for fiscal years 23/24 and 24/25 was based on recommendations from the Peninsula Shuttle Study adopted by the SamTrans board in September 2021. Among other things, it proposed SamTrans and Caltrain no longer sponsor shuttles. Brisbane’s midday shuttle was the last shuttle being sponsored by SamTrans in 2023.
In speaking more with SamTrans staff and reviewing ridership reports, it was discovered that the cost to maintain service levels for the next two years would be $151,000 in FY 23/24 and $155,000 in FY 24/25, and that the average cost per shuttle rider was $55 per day. The Call for Projects required the City, as a project sponsor, to contribute 25%, or approximately $40k for this first two-year funding cycle. Based on previous shuttle performance and cost, the City has decided not to apply for funding for this route in the next Call for Projects.
See below for alternative transportation services for our older adults, and though they don’t directly replace the shuttle, they do serve as viable, secure, and personalized transportation options, a couple of which are FREE.
Brisbane Village Helping Hands – Helping Brisbane Residents 55+ Age in Place
Brisbane Village Helping Hands (BVHH) is a local nonprofit organization whose volunteers provide services – transportation, minor home repair/maintenance, friendly visits, technology assistance – to its members to help them “age in place” and remain in their homes and community as long as possible. In order to receive services from the Village, you must be a member. Become a part of the Village today by emailing brisbanevillagehelpinghands@gmail.com, or leave them a voicemail at (415) 508-2185. They welcome new members and make every effort to fulfill member requests. You can also find out more information about Brisbane Village Helping Hands on their website, brisbanevillage.org.
Get Up & Go – Free Transportation for Adults 50+ Bayside of San Mateo County
Two Brisbane residents are already utilizing this service, provided through the Peninsula Jewish Community Center (PJCC) weekdays, 9:30am -3:30pm. This program is for current residents bayside (280 going east, towards the Bay) 50 or over who are unable to drive either permanently or temporarily. Membership is not necessary and there are no income or religious affiliation requirements. Call (650) 378-2750 to find out how to register for Get Up & Go. It’s a simple phone interview and a signed waiver from you. Note: requests for rides to medical appointments can be made up to 1 month in advance and the service even goes to Stanford Hospital & Clinics in Palo Alto, the VA Hospital, and Palo Alto Medical Foundation.
Got Wheels! – Affordable Transportation Service for Adults 70 and Older
Got Wheels! members can arrange for a $5 one-way cab ride (they’ve partnered with Serra Yellow Cab) on-demand 24 hours/day, 7 days/week. Each month, participants are able to take up to 6 one-way trips or 3 round trips for only $5.00 per one-way ride. Destinations must be within the geographic area (Daly City, Colma, Brisbane, South San Francisco, San Bruno, Millbrae, Burlingame, Hillsborough, Half Moon Bay, Montara, Moss Beach, and El Granada) and San Francisco International Airport. Please call Program Manager Cherie Querol Moreno at (650) 403-4300 Ext. 4329 if you’d like to be added.
SamTrans Route 292 – Serving Riders 7 days/week between the Embarcadero and Hillsdale Mall
The 292 runs through San Francisco, Daly City, Brisbane, South San Francisco, San Francisco International Airport, Millbrae, Burlingame, and San Mateo with weekday and weekend service. Its stop in Brisbane is at the Park & Ride lot on Bayshore & Old County Rd. with connections along the route to BART, Muni, and AC Transit. See the full route schedule and map at samtrans.com/routes/292. The Senior fare is $1.10 with cash or, $1 with a Clipper card, with a Day Pass being $2. A monthly Clipper card is $27. Get Clipper on your phone, buy a card online, or in-person at a retailer. More information can be found at clippercard.com.
Redi-Wheels – A Paratransit Service Designed to Meet the Needs of the Mobility-Impaired
Redi-Wheels serves the bayside of the county, plus the towns of Woodside and Portola Valley and is for persons with disabilities who cannot independently use regular SamTrans bus service. Redi-Wheels operates seven days a week, including holidays, from 5:30am to midnight. Each one-way trip costs $4.25 and riders may call to reserve a trip up to 7 days in advance. To apply for Redi-Wheels paratransit, please call (650) 366-4856 to request an application. The Transit Evaluator will contact you to schedule an interview.
