Transportation Services

City of Berkeley residents over 70 and older and disabled residents 18+ years old who are registered with East Bay Paratransit Services can apply for subsidized transportation services.

Berkeley Rides for Seniors and the Disabled

Berkeley Rides for Seniors & the Disabled (BRSD) program helps eligible Berkeley residents pay for transportation. The program offers:

GoGo rides (using Uber or Lyft)
Accessible wheelchair van rides

Eligibility requirements and how to apply

Applications closed
Berkeley Rides for Seniors & the Disabled (BRSD) program is not accepting new applications until further notice.

You are eligible for subsidized transportation with Berkeley Rides for Seniors & the Disabled if you are a Berkeley resident and meet one of the criteria below:

You are 70 years old or over, or
You are 18-69 years of age and are certified as disabled with East-Bay Paratransit services.

To apply to BRSD, complete an application form and submit it to:

Mail or in-person: Berkeley Rides for Seniors & the Disabled
1901 Hearst Avenue
Berkeley, CA 94709
Email: BRSD@berkeleyca.gov

After you apply to the BRSD program:

Applications usually take 2 to 3 weeks to process.
You will receive a letter by mail letting you know if you are approved.
The letter will include instructions for using the GoGo or wheelchair van program.

GoGo Rides Program

Berkeley Rides for Seniors and the Disabled (BRSD) mobile participants will receive up to 24 rides per year with GoGo Rides (rides are provided by Uber and Lyft).

How it works:

Call the GoGo ride center to request a ride
You may use the automated phone system or speak with an operator to order your ride
Rides can be scheduled and are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

Cost:

Rider pays $4 per ride
BRSD pays up to $16 per ride
Rider may receive up to 24 one-way rides each year

Wheelchair-Van Program

BRSD participants who use wheelchairs can get up to 32 accessible wheelchair van rides per year.

How it works:

Call our community partner, Easy Does It, to schedule an accessible wheelchair van ride.
Riders can receive up to 32 rides per year (10 miles per one way trip)

Cost:

Rider pays $4 per one-way ride (for trips up to 10 miles)
Rider may receive up to 32 one-way rides each year (up to 10 miles per ride)

High Medical Need Program

BRSD program participants who have at least four (4) medical appointments per month can get additional subsidized GoGo rides or wheelchair van rides. This program is limited and based upon funding availability.

How it works:

You must be an existing enrolled rider with Berkeley Rides for Seniors and the Disabled
Riders can receive up to 12 one-way rides per year
Please email BRSD@berkeleyca.gov if you are interested in the high medical need program.

Cost:

Rider pays $4 per ride
BRSD pays up to $16 per ride

Free Travel Training

Berkeley older adults and people with disabilities can attend free trainings to learn how to use public transportation. You do not need to be enrolled in BRSD to participate in a training.

Training is offered four (4) times each year at the North and South Berkeley Senior Centers.

The training teaches participants how to safely and confidently use public transportation, including:

AC Transit
BART
Ferry

For more information call (510) 981-7269. The training is offered in partnership with United Seniors of Oakland and Alameda County.

APPLY For East Bay Paratransit Certification

If you are a Berkeley resident under the age of 70 years old with a disability and are not yet certified for East Bay Paratransit, apply through East Bay Paratransit or call (510) 287-5000. Once you are approved and registered with Easy Bay Paratransit Services, you may apply to the BRSD program.

SENIOR CENTER TRANSPORTATION PROGRAM

Berkeley residents 55 and older who are registered members of the City of Berkeley Senior Centers can sign up for shuttle bus field trips and limited grocery shopping trips.

The Senior Centers offer group transportation on a shuttle bus to and from:

City of Berkeley senior centers
Grocery shopping destinations
Daylong field trips, i.e., at museums, national parks and beaches, festivals and concerts.

To find out about upcoming field and grocery shopping trips, please view the Nugget monthly newsletter. To register, call (510) 981-5170 or (510) 981-5190.