Getting around Milwaukee to handle your everyday needs with challenges or disabilities can be hard for older adults. 

A 2023 report by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation on mobility patterns for older adults found that they preferred driving themselves or relying on family and friends for transportation, with limited use of local public and private services, partly influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic. 

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Grocery shopping and medical purposes were among the main reasons older adults made trips, and nearly half preferred making phone calls to request ride services due to a lack of internet access. 

The report also stated that the number of seniors 65 and older is expected to grow by 72% in 2040. Which means more seniors will need help getting around.

Here are affordable and reliable transportation services for older adults who can’t take a bus or drive. 

(Are we missing something? Feel free to email cwardell@milwaukeenns.org)

1. Transit Plus

If you are an individual with an illness or disability that prevents you from using the fixed bus routes, the Transit Plus program offers paratransit services to any location across Milwaukee County for $4 each way. Personal care attendants ride for free. If you bring an additional person, it will be an additional $4. 

Be sure to call 24 hours in advance.

Here are ways to pay for each Transit Plus van ride: 

You can pay in cash with the exact amount.

Transit Plus tickets can be  purchased online, completing and mailing a ticket order form, calling 414-343-1700 or visiting the administration office, 1942 N. 17th St., between 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m.  

Riders can preload their Transit Plus WisGo ID card or use the UMO app. 

To register for Transit Plus, applicants can fill out an electronic application then afterward call their health care provider to have them complete a medical verification form. 

A paper application and verification form is available but must be returned or mailed to the administration office. More information here.

2. Milwaukee County Older Adult Transportation Service  

Seniors 60 and up can get van rides to appointments, grocery stores, voting polls, senior dining sites and other eligible locations through the Milwaukee County Older Adult Transportation Service. Drivers can also assist riders by helping them board and leave vehicles, carry grocery bags (up to 40 pounds) to their residence and provide other support. 

Health care rides are $4 each way; for all other rides a contribution of $4 is encouraged. Riders must pay with cash and carry exact change, as drivers do not carry change. Riders must schedule their ride three business days in advance by calling 414-289-6874.More information here.

3. WisGo Reduced Fare Card

Older adults or individuals enrolled in Medicare, Transit Plus or who have a qualifying disability are eligible for a WisGo Reduced Fare Card costing $1.25 per ride. Call 414-937-3218, visit its website or stop by a participating retail location to purchase a card for $2. 

4. Disabled American Veterans

Disabled American Veterans offers free rides for senior veterans to and from the Clement J. Zablocki Veterans Administration Medical Center, 5000 W. National Ave. All riders must be able to board and exit the van without the driver’s help. Call 414-384-2000, ext. 47274 to schedule a ride two weeks ahead of time. More information here.

Here are free or low-cost activities that connect Milwaukee seniors

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Chesnie Wardell serves as a reporting fellow for NNS. In addition to compiling our popular “5 things to know and do” lists, she also writes features on notable North Side and South Side residents. She is a 2025 graduate of Marquette University, where she studied journalism and digital media.