New Program To Transport Queens Seniors To Doctor Appointments And Stores A Success, Councilman Says

BAYSIDE, QUEENS — A transportation system designed to carry elderly residents around Northeast Queens has proven to be a success, according to Councilman Paul Vallone.

The program, run by SelfHelp Community Service Inc. and Four Two's Car Service and launched at the end of April, aims to ease difficulties faced by seniors using mass transit, Vallone said.

Access-a-Ride, which serves seniors and those with disabilities, is the only other transportation option for residents of areas underserved by public transit, such as Northeast Queens, and it's "unreliable," Vallone said.

Seniors can schedule next-day trips to the doctor by calling the Clearview Senior Center, which is operated by SelfHelp, at 718-224-7888 between 9 a.m. and 12 p.m.

Van services take them to the supermarket every week or every other week and also carry them to Flushing Town Hall and other local facilities.

“Seniors in our city, many who live on fixed incomes, are already faced with enough hardships such as rising property taxes, costs of living and stagnant funding for critical services. The last thing they should have to worry about is how they’re going to get to the doctor,” said Vallone.

Lead image via Juan Beltran/Flickr