If you are 60 years of age or older and need assistance in getting to medical appointments, senior centers, shopping, or other appointments, we can help. Office for Aging contracts with BC Transit for the provision of the Office for Aging Mini-Bus. You can review or print the following publication that lists all the BC Transit transportation options available to older adults: BC Transit Transportation Options. Additionally, a contract with the Getthere Mobility Management provides supplemental transportation options with special focus on serving older adults who reside in rural areas. Getthere also offers travel training to those who need assistance with understanding and utilizing local transportation services. 

BC Transit Buses:

Based upon where you live, there are three different public bus options available.

1. Fixed Route Bus

Fixed route buses serve the urban area of the county from west Endicott to Kirkwood. The buses run seven days a week, though they have different schedules on Saturday and Sunday. Visit BC Transit's Fixed Bus Route page for more information and to obtain schedules.

Seniors 65 and older ride at a discounted rate. To get this rate, show your yellow Office for Aging ID card (card issued for age 65 and over). Part of the application for the ID card includes a section on informed consent. We ask that you sign this form when completing the ID card application, as it will allow us to record your information in our system and provide you with the card. You can learn more about the informed consent process here: Informed Consent Follow-Up Letter.

2. The Office for Aging Mini-bus/BC Lift

The Office for Aging Mini-bus and BC Lift are two reservation-based services on the same bus. Riders can make reservations one week in advance and up to the day before the ride.

The Office for Aging Mini-bus serves those age 60 and older between Monday - Friday 9am to 4pm. This service operates in urban areas of Broome county (Binghamton, Johnson City, Endicott, Endwell, Chenango Bridge, parts of Kirkwood and Conklin). Riders must have an Office for Aging ID card to ride at the $2.00 voluntary contribution rate. Your reservation may include 1 - 2 guests. Guests under age 60 are charged $3.00 for each ride. Guests age 60 and over pay the $2.00 suggested contribution with proper ID (OFA ID card preferred).

Contributions are accepted to help support this program. No one age 60 or older will be denied service because of an inability or unwillingness to contribute, and all contributions are confidential. Individuals whose income is at or above 185% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines are asked to contribute at an amount that represents the actual cost of the rides ($3.00 per ride). You are asked to contribute at this rate if your monthly household income is more than $3,322 and you live alone, or if you live in a household of 2 and your monthly income exceeds $3,151.

To apply for the Office for Aging ID card click here: Office for Aging ID Card. Part of the application for the ID card includes a section on informed consent. We ask that you sign this form when completing the ID card application, as it will allow us to record your information in our system and provide you with the card. You can learn more about the informed consent process here: Informed Consent Follow-Up Letter.

The BC Lift bus serves those of any age but they must have an ADA (Americans with Disability Act) card. The BC Lift serves the same areas as OFA Mini Bus but operates during Monday - Sunday and extended daily hours. The BC Lift riders pay $3.00 per ride. 

How to make reservations:

- To make a reservation for the OFA Mini Bus call 607-275-5164 between 8:00 AM and 4:00 PM Monday – Friday. Please note that you must have your client ID and password issued to you by BC Transit available when making a reservation. To help you with the reservation process please review the OFA Mini Bus Reservation Instructions. Call BC Transit at 607-763-4464 if you need your client ID and password. 

- To make a reservation for the BC Lift call 607-275-5155. Please note that you must have your client ID and password issued to you by BC Transit available when making a reservation. Call BC Transit at 607-763-4464 if you need your Client ID and password. 

 

3. BC Country

BC Country is a reservation-based service and transports rural residents to the urban areas and back again. Those wishing to schedule a ride on BC Country should call 607-275-5142 between the hours of 8:00 AM and 4:00 PM, Monday – Friday. Riders can make reservations up to one week in advance. BC Country rides are first come, first served, and fill quickly. Those aged 60 and over who show an Office for Aging ID card ride the bus at $2.00 voluntary contribution rate. Riders with an ADA card can ride BC Country for a cost of $3.00/ride.

Visit BC Transit's BC Country page for more information and to obtain schedules. For information on the Office for Aging ID card, and to download an ID card application, visit the identification card page.

4. Other Options

The Senior Helpers Program

This program matches people with individuals 55 years or older who hire themselves out for jobs. The Senior Helpers Program has workers registered who will hire themselves out as private drivers. Visit the Senior Helpers Program page to learn more about the hiring process. Those wishing to hire a Senior Helpers driver should call 607.778.6105 and leave a message. 

Getthere Mobility Management of South Central New York

Getthere is an additional resource for transportation options. Older adults and caregivers can get assistance with finding and planning transportation services and group or individual travel training. Call the toll-free Getthere Call Center to reach staff that is well versed in the area's transportation options 1-855-373-4040.
Website: https://gettherescny.org/.