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City of Alameda Increases Subsidies for Discounted Taxi Rides to Seniors and People with Disabilities

The City provides two discounted taxi programs for seniors and people with disabilities - Premium and Medical Return Trip Improvement Program (MRTIP) - 8 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.  Both these programs offer subsidized taxi rides in either a traditional sedan, minivan, or in a wheelchair accessible vehicle, if needed.  Some rides may be shared with other riders.

Premium Program: Vouchers for this program cost $1.50 each and are valued at $5.00 by the contracted taxi company – First American Transit, also known as Welcome Taxi. The subsidy now represents a 70 percent discount to enrolled riders, increased from 50 percent. Enrolled riders use the service for different types of trips, with shopping and doctor appointments the most frequent destinations. For example, a one-way trip that costs $10 would cost the enrolled rider $3. Individuals are limited to a maximum of 30 Premium taxi vouchers per quarter (every three months). The Premium program is available to individuals who live in Alameda and are 70 years old or over or are enrolled with East Bay Paratransit.

MRTIP: The Medical Return Trip Improvement Program (MRTIP) is available to Alameda residents who are enrolled with East Bay Paratransit. The MRTIP Program vouchers cost $2.50 each, and provide a taxi ride home after a medical appointment anywhere in Alameda County. Individuals are limited to a maximum of 10 MRTIP Taxi Vouchers per month.

Vouchers are sold on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 9:00 a.m. and 12 noon at Mastick Senior Center, 1155 Santa Clara Avenue, Alameda. Both types of vouchers are valid for six months from the date of purchase, and only can be used within Alameda County. These programs are funded by Measures B and BB transportation sales tax dollars, which are administered by the Alameda County Transportation Commission. For more information on the taxi ride discounts, please visit www.AlamedaParatransit.com.

Mastick Monthly Trips

The City of Alameda financially assists with transportation expenses for the Mastick Senior Center monthly trip program. Travel destinations may include various Bay Area locations (i.e. San Francisco, Livermore, etc.). Sign up is on a first come, first served basis.

Eligibility requirements: Must be 50 years of age or older.

Cost: Trip fees range from $45 to $75, depending on trip amenities or class registration fees.
Contact: Please contact Mastick Senior Center at (510) 747-7506 for more information.

Leisure Club

The City of Alameda provides a van to pick up and return members of the Alameda Recreation & Park Department Leisure Club, a social recreation program offered twice a month for adults, 18 years or older, with developmental disabilities.

Eligibility requirements: Must be 18 years or older, with special needs.
Cost: Free.
Contact: Please contact the Alameda Recreation & Park Department at (510) 747-7529 for more information.

Crown Memorial Beach - Annual Skilled Nursing Facility Picnic

The City of Alameda subsidizes a portion of the transportation expense to Crown Memorial Beach for the Annual Skilled Nursing Facility Picnic.

Eligibility requirements: Must be a resident of a skilled nursing facility.
Cost: Free.
Contact: Please contact your nursing home for more information.

Taxi Trip Subsidies: The City of Alameda, through Measure B/BB monies, offers limited matching funds through the Transportation Scholarship Fund to assist individuals with Premium Taxi Service expenses. To be eligible, you must be an Alameda resident, be certified for the Premium Taxi Service and meet the very-low income requirements. A limit of $90 in matching funds per family is available each fiscal year (July 1 through June 30) as long as funding is available. Proof of income is required (e.g., SSA/SSI award letter, paychecks stubs, etc.). Income verification cannot be older than 60 days.

Free AC Transit Bus Passes: The City's Paratransit program provides free AC Transit bus passes to Alameda Housing Authority residents at Anne B. Diament and to Alameda Point Collaborative residents who are seniors or individuals with disabilities and meet the low-income requirements, which began in 2017 for Alameda Point Collaborative and 2019 for Alameda Housing Authority.

Contact: To register for the taxi subsidy program, complete the paper registration form and return it to Mastick Senior Center (1155 Santa Clara Avenue, Alameda, CA 94501). For more information, please contact Mastick Senior Center at (510) 747-7513 or vwilliams@alamedaca.gov.