[KeyStoneChapter] Fwd: Possible new opportunity with seniors and Uber

[DENICE BROWN]

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> From: DENICE BROWN <dbrown8827 at aol.com>
> Date: August 28, 2025 at 10:04:42 AM EDT
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> Subject: Possible new opportunity with seniors and Uber
> 
> Philly seniors can soon get free Uber rides amid SEPTA cuts Uber said it has committed tens of thousands of dollars to the pilot program, which is meant to "fill in transit gaps. By Erin McCarthy (Staff Writer) Philadelphia seniors can soon get free Uber rides amid massive cuts to the citys public transit system. The rideshare company plans to foot the bill for these trips through a new Uber Senior Rides Program. Spokesperson Freddi Goldstein said the initiative is intended to "fill in transit gaps" created by SEPTA service reductions, the first round of which took effect Sunday. Uber has committed tens of thousands of dollars to the program, which will operate until funding runs out or demand necessitates it be scaled up, Goldstein said. State Rep. Morgan Cephas, who represents parts of West Philadelphia and leads the citys all-Democratic House delegation, said Uber approached her team about the pilot program, which she hopes will launch in the coming days. "Its extremely timely," Cephas said Wednesday in an interview. "Imagine our seniors having to walk long distances now to access medical appointments or get to the grocery store. Once the program goes live, Philadelphia residents aged 60 and older can get vouchers for free rides by contacting one of two local nonprofits, ACHIEVEability or the Ogontz Avenue Revitalization Corporation (OARC), Cephas said. For seniors who arent tech savvy, she said, folks at these organizations will be able to coordinate rides and teach seniors how to use the Uber app. "The organizations are free to use the rides for older Philadelphians as they see fit," Goldstein said. Philly seniors can hail a ride to church, to take a grandchild to school, or to access a food pantry , Cephas said. At OARC, the staff plans to prioritize seniors in three West Oak Lane-area zip codes 19138, 19126, and 19150 according to president and CEO Kimberly A. Lloyd. "Were trying to be very conscious of where the rides are going," Lloyd said. "We dont want someone to take a ride to go visit someone outside of Philadelphia. We look at this as an opportunity for a round-trip," such as to and from a local grocery store or appointment. At ACHIEVEability, the staff plans to prioritize Philly seniors, from any neighborhood, who are going to the doctor, the grocery store, or financial appointments, said executive director Jamila Harris-Morrison. OARC and ACHIEVEability were both in the process Wednesday of setting up dedicated phone lines for interested Philadelphians, who center directors said will need to provide identification showing their age and address. The ACHIEVEability staff looks forward to facilitating the program, Harris-Morrison said, with the hope that it becomes something longer-lasting. "Our seniors could really use this program year-round," said the director, whose center regularly serves about 1,000 seniors in nearby neighborhoods. "This door-to-door service can really be a game changer for quality of life. Cephas said she hopes the program will run through at least September. It could be extended through the end of the year if demand is strong, she said, and she has a feeling it will be in a city with more than 300,000 residents aged 60 and older. SEPTA has estimated it had 700,000 total daily riders before the cuts. That included some in Cephas district who relied on the now-eliminated 31 bus to get from West Philly to Center City. While some Philadelphians had trouble getting Ubers from Citizens Bank Park earlier the summer, and local drivers have complained of low pay, Goldstein said the company is confident that they have enough drivers to meet seniors demand. "Drivers on our platform are independent contractors, and can drive however frequently or infrequently they want, and choose to accept or reject trip requests at will," Goldstein said. "Having said that, we have tens of thousands of drivers who find work on our platform monthly in the Philadelphia area," the Uber spokesperson added, "and we feel confident that we can help senior citizens impacted by the SEPTA service reductions get where they need to go. emccarthy at inquirer.comerinK_mccarthy
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