Montclair seniors can get a ride to doctor appointments, or to meet a friend for lunch, for free, 20 times a month, with EZRide.
Lifelong Montclair and Essex County offer free transportation services for Montclair seniors and residents with disabilities. Riders receive 20 free rides a month through EZRide. The rides have to start or end in Montclair.
Riders can go throughout Essex County and Clifton for any needs, such as shopping or social visits. The rides are available on demand.
Judy Hurley, director of senior services for the Township of Montclair, said service participation is significantly increasing. As a result, Montclair and Essex County also hope to expand senior bus service. Currently, there is one senior bus that takes seniors grocery shopping. The bus stops at four individual senior congregate living facilities.
“The county is committed to keeping this a model program right now. And we want to really try and make it more successful,” Hurley said.
Unlike the car service, riders get unlimited trips on the senior bus. Hurley hopes use will extend past grocery trips. With EZRide, Hurley said riders mostly request transportation to doctor appointments. Soon, the county and township hope to provide bus services for medical appointments, recreational activities, and outings with loved ones.
Removing Barriers to Transportation
Since 2018, Montclair has been one of AARP’s age-friendly communities. As an age-friendly community, Montclair commits to working with elected officials, organizations, and individuals to make the town accessible and liveable for seniors.
“We really believe in our seniors being able to have access to transportation when they don’t have access. They should be able to utilize the community the way other residents do,” Hurley said. “Go out to dinner, go shopping, go to the hairdresser. Seniors should be able to participate and not have transportation as a barrier.”
Hurley said there are currently over 600 seniors in town utilizing the car service, and the number is increasing daily. “We’re still enrolling every day. It’s wonderful because the seniors are able to take these rides to programs at the library, to senior centers and our classes and different programs.”
Hurley says having readily available free transportation allows seniors to remain active in the community they’ve been a vibrant part of for many years. “It’s our way of giving back to them,” she said.
Though Montclair only offers 20 rides a month for its car service program, seniors can also utilize Essex County’s program. The free transportation service takes seniors to doctor’s appointments, nutrition centers, and other medical programs. Riders must schedule their transportation no more than two weeks before the appointment and no later than two days before. Appointments are made on a first-come, first-served basis.
As Montclair works alongside the county to expand its transportation services, Hurley said one of the main goals is to be responsive to the public. Hurley holds a “senior roundtable” monthly with community volunteers. The volunteers participate in focus meetings to help perfect and initiate services in town.
To sign up for the EZRide program with Montclair, call 973-509-4974. Residents must be 60 years of age or older. Or have a disability.