There are a number of transportation services designed to serve older adults in Dutchess County. Below is a summary of those which are funded by county and local governments as well as those carried out by volunteer organizations.
Your local houses of worship may also have volunteers who help seniors with their transportation needs.
Funded wholly or in part by the Dutchess County Office for the Aging:
Dutchess County Office for the Aging Vans and Buses (845-486-2555 or ofa@dutchessny.gov) transport older adults to our eight OFA Friendship Centers, along with recreational and shopping trips offered to center attendees.
Pawling Resource Center (845-855-3459) serves the transportation needs of older Pawling residents. They will travel to Putnam County or nearby Connecticut.
Friends of Seniors (845-485-1277) provides non-emergency medical transportation (and other services) for older adults, including doctor visits, labs, physical therapy, dental appointments, dialysis and surgical procedures. If a volunteer is available, they can start driving at 5:00 a.m. and drive until 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. They do drive on some Saturdays and Sundays, if a volunteer is available. They travel to appointments within Dutchess County, and when able, will drive to non-emergency medical appointments in Albany, New York City, and western Connecticut, as well as to Columbia, Orange, Putnam, Ulster and Westchester counties, although some criteria needs to be met. Call Friends of Seniors for more information. Due to the increased demands for transportation, at least two weeks' notice is required to reserve a ride.
North East Community Center (518-592-1399 extension 101, or nedt@neccmillerton.org) provides transportation services for residents of the towns of Amenia, Dover, North East, Stanford and Washington, and the villages of Millerton and Millbrook, via the Care Car. They also coordinate the Northeast Dutchess Transit Program which can additionally assist residents of the towns of Pine Plains, Stanford and Washington.
Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) (845-452-5104 extension 101) picks up senior residents of the city of Beacon who do not drive, and transports them to OFA's Beacon Friendship Center at Forrestal Heights. Also, any senior that does not drive and regardless of whether they attend the Friendship Center, may be eligible to be transported to Walmart or Shop Rite in Fishkill once per week for one hour of shopping. RSVP is a program of Community Action Partnership for Dutchess County.
Dutchess County Public Transit (845-473-8424) - Fixed routes, Rail Link Shuttles and Flex service throughout Dutchess County operating seven days a week, in 30-180 minute frequencies.
Included within Dutchess County Public Transit are the following services:
Dial-A-Ride (845-473-8424) is provided by Dutchess County Public Transit and available to residents of the towns of Fishkill, East Fishkill, Hyde Park, Poughkeepsie, Wappinger and City of Poughkeepsie. Pre-registration is required.
Dutchess County Public Transit ADA Complementary Paratransit (845-473-8424) is operated by Dutchess County Public Transit and provides transportation services in a number of locations from a rider's home to his or her destination. Reservations are required and service availability may be limited. In addition, ADA Complimentary Paratransit Service is available for qualified individuals who live within 3/4 mile of a regularly scheduled Dutchess County Public Transit bus route. For more information about ADA Complimentary Paratransit services, click here or call Dutchess County Public Transit at 845-473-8424.
Amtrak Several Amtrak routes stop at the rail stations in Poughkeepsie and Rhinecliff. For more information go to www.amtrak.com or call 800-872-7245
Castle Point (845-831-2000) transports veterans to medical appointments at Veterans Hospitals. View Bus/Shuttle Schedule (schedule covers both Castle Point and the Montrose VA facility in Westchester County)
Community Senior Transportation Program (845-485-1277) is for LaGrange & Pleasant Valley senior citizens for recreation and shopping. No medical appointments, and this service is not wheelchair accessible.
Metro North MTA Two Metro North Railroad lines run through Dutchess County. The Hudson Line runs between Poughkeepsie and Grand Central Terminal in Manhattan, with stops at New Hamburg and Beacon. The Harlem Line runs between Wassaic and Grand Central, with stops at Tenmile River, Dover Plains, Wingdale and Pawling.
