The director of the City’s office of services for the aging, Jim Macgill, met with the BHCA Older Residents Task Force last month and reviewed a surprising array of programs and services that the city or state make available to older residents. One big surprise: subsidized taxicab rides.
The city health department offers a monthly subsidy to Baltimore City residents aged 60 or older, as well as adult residents under the age of 60 with a disability, to travel using taxicabs. The program is funded by the Maryland Department of Transportation.
During the month of May only, a $12 payment will enable the purchaser to obtain a $100 card honored by seven area taxi companies (but not Uber or Lyft) to go anywhere the driver will take you: your doctor, your friend’s house, your favorite casino. Low-income purchasers pay only $6.
Ordinarily, eligible residents pay those same amounts for $50 travel. More information is available at https://www.caretaxicard.com/.
Jointly with Baltimore County, the City office of aging services has compiled a fat booklet, Community Resources 2022, aimed at older residents, their families, caregivers, persons nearing retirement, those with disabilities and others. Copies will be available at the BHCA meeting at 8 p.m. Tuesday, June 7, at Memorial Episcopal Church.
The Older Residents Task Force meets again on Saturday, May 21 at 10 a.m. For details on attending contact olderresidents@boltonhillmd.org.