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Starting in January, seniors in Freeborn County will have access to free rides to and from Mayo Clinic Health System campuses in Albert Lea and Austin through SMART Transit, thanks to a $10,000 grant from the Naeve Health Care Foundation.

Chris Thompson, SMART Transit operations manager for Mower County and dispatch said she and others with SMART Transit are “ecstatic” about the grant and glad to soon provide the service to seniors of Freeborn County. People 55 and older will be eligible, and all buses are ADA-certified.

“It’s a program that we’ve had in Austin for a while, and I’m just glad we’re able to carry it over to Albert Lea,” she said.

While SMART Transit offers a deviated route service, with stops at scheduled times at certain locations that can deviate up to three blocks, it also has a demand response service from any location with curb-to-curb service. Reservations are requested, and she noted people will be served on a first-come, first-serve basis. People are encouraged to call ahead when they know their appointments, as sometimes it can be difficult to get a same-day ride, though the organization does its best to try to get everyone accommodated.

Thompson said the organization plans to reapply for the grant every year.

“If we run out of money, we’re not going to stop the program,” Thompson said. “If we use all the $10,000, we’ll still honor the program of getting them back and forth.”

A program has already been in place to shuttle people back and forth between the Albert Lea and Austin campuses for at least five years, she said.
People with questions are asked to call 1-855-762-7821.

“This new service aims to ease the transportation burden for seniors seeking medical care, ensuring they can attend appointments, receive treatments and access other essential health care services without the worry of transportation costs,” a press release stated.

The announcement came as concerns surfaced about a year ago about transportation for seniors to medical appointments and the need for more resources to improve health care access. The issue was discussed at both Freeborn County Public Health community meetings and other city and county meetings.

The press release stated the goal of the program is to promote independent living and support the health of seniors.