Ride-sharing service Uber launches new senior program in Arizona

PHOENIX — Two Arizona cities have been chosen for the launch of a new program from the popular ride-sharing service Uber, according to the Phoenix Business Journal.

Phoenix and Tucson are two of the pilot cities that have been chosen for Uber’s newest program, which aims to offer different methods of transportation to senior citizens.

Due to the large amount of senior communities in the state, the company has reached out to senior passengers who no longer drive and offered their communities educational training sessions to sign up and use the service.

Steve Thompson, general manager of Uber Arizona, said he hopes this program can solve the lack of transportation issue that many elderly citizens have.

“We realize 26 million elderly Americans depend on others for transportation,” he said in an interview with the Phoenix Business Journal. “It’s not just a local issue, but a national issue. We are excited to grow Uber and help increase senior independence.”

The Valley of the Sun Jewish Community Center is the first in Arizona to work with Uber and plans to host sessions beginning in August. The center is home to 1,200 members, about half of which are seniors.

“Uber’s initiative is one of the areas we’re trying to help with by providing low-cost transportation options,” Lisa Kaplan, a representative for the Center, said in the article.

“We hope that by allowing (Uber) to come here, the seniors can get more transportation. We’re just happy to open our doors to them and to see how this goes.”