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 Through the Safe Ride Program, the American Red Cross and A.G. Edwards are trying to meet senior citizens’ needs for reliable transportation with a few extra services.
Safe Ride offers licensed and certified drivers who are trained to assist people with special needs. It offers door-to-door handicapped-accessible transportation with one-on-one client-to-driver attention.
The St. Louis Area Red Cross, based in Creve Coeur, started Safe Ride about two years ago.
“It began as a pilot program to assess research on whether such a program was needed and if it could (finance itself),” said Vanetta Rogers, executive officer for community care for the St Louis Area Red Cross.
“We found there is a significant need, particularly for these persons who need door-to-door service,” she said.
While seniors call Safe Ridge to go shopping or make social outings and engagements, Rogers said the primary requests have been for non-emergency medical appointments.
Rose Yuan, 89, of Valley Park is a Safe Ride customer. Because she speaks Chinese, her son, Dr. Philip Yuan, accompanies her.
Dr. Yuan said his mother suffered a stroke and is paralyzed on one side. For mobility, she uses a wheelchair.
“We needed to take her out for medical appointments and even thought I’d like to take her myself,” he said. “I just don’t have the facilities, such as the ramp and lift.”
Dr. Yuan called transportation services and found Safe Ride. He said it offered the best services for his mother’s needs. He has been happy with the service.
“I think it’s a very beneficial program,” Dr. Yuan said. “There are needs for older people who need to get out. This one does direct service, from point A to B (on your schedule).”
Vince Garegnani, 81, uses Safe Ride to get to his kidney dialysis appointments.
“As much as we’d like to always be able to drive Vince to his appointments, our jobs prevent that,” said his daughter-in-law, Julie Garegnani of Ballwin. “I don’t know what we would have done without Safe Ride.”
People who live in St. Louis and St. Louis County who are 60 and over and disabled people ages 18 to 59 qualify for Safe Ride services. In general, the program requests two days notice for scheduling.
The vehicles generally run from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, although special arrangements often can be made. Customers also may request standing appointments.
“Customers have a choice of how they use us,” Rogers said. “Our job is to accommodate. We can customize the trip to the caller’s needs.”
Fees vary based on the length of the trip and if wheelchair assistance is required. They start at $12.50 for the first seven miles one way. For wheelchair assistance, the one-way fee is $20 for the first seven miles and $1.50 for each additional mile.
Rogers said the fees are competitive, or perhaps a better deal because Safe Ride offers services that others don’t. She said financial assistance or discounts may be available to some customers.
The Safe Ride fleet will be expanding because of a $200,000 donation from A.G. Edwards. Three new handicapped-accessible vehicles will be added during the next five years; the first of those vehicles recently was purchased.
For more information on Safe Ride, call 314.516.2774 or visit www.redcrossstl.org.
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