Seniors

Pennsylvania offers free transit and shared ride programs to help provide affordable transportation options for senior citizens:

Free Transit Program for Senior Citizens

The Free Transit program allows senior citizens to ride free on local fixed-route service whenever the local public transit system is operating. To be eligible, you must be 65 years of age or older. 

To ride free, you will need a senior citizen transit identification card. The card is available free of charge from participating local transit operators. You will need to present a Commonwealth I.D. Card, a Medicare Card or other acceptable proof of age document to the transit operator to obtain the identification card.

For schedules and hours of service, contact your local public transit agency. 

To learn more about the Free Transit program, contact your local transit operator or the Bureau of Public Transportation:

Free Transit Program for Senior Citizens

Bureau of Public Transportation
400 North Street, 6th Floor
PO Box 3151
Harrisburg, PA 17105-3151
(717) 783-8025

Shared-Ride Program

For older Pennsylvanians, the Shared-Ride Program enables senior citizens 65 years of age and older to use shared-ride, demand-responsive (normally curb to curb) services and pay only a small portion of the regular shared-ride fare. Senior citizens or an approved third-party sponsor pay 15 percent of the fare and the Lottery Fund pays the remaining 85 percent on local shared-ride transportation service.  The Shared-Ride Program discount is available in every county of the Commonwealth during public transportation shared-ride service hours, which are determined locally.  

To qualify for the reduced fare, seniors must be at least 65 years of age and be able to supply one of the eligible proofs of age to their local shared-ride provider.  Prior-day advance registration is required and service is available to anyone who either pays the fare or for whom a human service agency pays the fare.

To see which providers offer this service in your area, check the PennDOT Service Map

Find More Information for Seniors at the Pennsylvania Department of Aging

The Pennsylvania Department of Aging (PDA) offers services and programs to assist older Pennsylvanians. Most of these services are provided by the state’s 52 Area Agencies on Aging (AAA). 

To learn more about alternative transportation programs and find other information for senior citizens, visit the Pennsylvania Department of Aging website or contact the agency at:

555 Walnut Street, 5th Floor
Harrisburg, PA 17101-1919 
Phone: 717-783-1550 or 866-286-3636 (Long-term Care Helpline)