Free senior transportation program returns to Queens
BY JENNA BAGCAL
A free senior transportation
program is back for the
fourth year and is one again
expanding its reach to the elderly
across all of Queens.
Councilman Paul Vallone
joined Selfhelp Vice President
of External Relations
and Communications Sandy
Myers and local seniors to
announce the return of the
free program on Oct. 10 and
increased funding from city
lawmakers.
This year, Vallone allocated
$90,000 for seniors living
in northeast Queens, while
Speaker Corey Johnson secured
an additional $50,000
for all Queens seniors at the
request of the City Council’s
Queens Delegation. Borough
President Melinda Katz also
provided $10,000 in funding.
According to Vallone’s
office, funding for the program
“nearly quadrupled”
since 2017 when he allocated
$40,000 to fund the pilot program.
“I’m excited to announce
the awaited return of our
Free Senior Transportation
Program, which will kick off
again on Thursday, Oct. 10,”
said Vallone. “Since we began
the program four years
ago, thousands of rides to
and from important medical
appointments have been
provided to our borough’s
seniors — at no cost to them.
In just a few years, we’ve
been able to nearly quadruple
funding amounts for the
program, enabling us to provide
this vital service to seniors
throughout Queens.”
Seniors interested in
making an appointment can
call the Selfhelp Clearview
Senior Center at 718-224-7888
between 9 a.m. and noon to
schedule next-day rides. Service
users are required to
fill out an application with
demographic information,
emergency contact and destination.
When they are ready for
pick up, seniors must call
Selfhelp again to schedule a
return trip.
“Selfhelp Community Services
is thrilled to be partnering
with Council members
Paul Vallone, Peter Koo,
Robert Holden, Francisco
Courtesy of Vallone’s offi ce
Moya, Speaker Corey Johnson,
and the entire Queens
Delegation to provide continued
and increased access
to transportation services
for older adults throughout
Queens for the fourth year,”
said Meyers.
“In transportation deserts
like northeast Queens,
where our Clearview Senior
Center is located, older
adults are often isolated in
their homes due to the lack
of affordable, accessible and
reliable transportation services.
Investments by government,
including through
this program, enable older
New Yorkers to continue to
age with independence and
dignity in the city they call
home. We are proud to partner
with the New York City
Council, and look forward to
the continuation and growth
of this critical service,” Meyers
added.
Four Twos and Central
Car Service will provide
rides for seniors and will
partner with Selfhelp to
schedule rides. Vallone’s
office said that the program
will operate until the
$150,000 in funding is depleted.
“This is wonderful news,”
said Frank Pavone, 93. “I recently
fell, but now I’m back
and on my feet again thanks
to my doctors. The most important
thing is for seniors
to have reliable transportation
to get to our doctor’s
appointments. This program
makes a big difference for us
and our families.”
Reach reporter Jenna
Bagcal by e-mail at jbagcal@
qns.com or by phone at (718)
260-2583.
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SENIOR
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SPECIAL 10%OFF
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24 TIMESLEDGER, OCT. 11-17, 2019 BT QNS.COM
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