Many people with neurologic disabilities don't drive or have ready access to rides for medical appointments, errands, or social plans. Fortunately, plenty of communities offer free or reduced-cost rides. We investigated several options that will help you get to your next doctor's appointment or your next social engagement. 

1. Paratransit services. Most cities and towns have free or reduced-price transit services for older people and those with disabilities. Most allow you to call ahead to order a ride for a specific time, and often let you bring an aide if needed. Prices vary and can range from free to a maximum of twice as much as public transportation, according to information from the Disability Rights Center, so be sure to ask. Also ask if the vehicles can accommodate wheelchairs and if the drivers can help assist disabled passengers on and off. To learn more, call the public transportation office in your area. If you need more information, contact your local Area Agency on Aging or your local Center for Independent Living, Disability Resource Center, or Indian Tribal Organization. At each agency, ask to speak to a mobility manager or transportation specialist. In most communities, you can also call 211, a phone service that often has details on local services.
2. Shared ride services. Shared ride services, such as Uber, Lyft, and Via, are often less expensive than taxis. If you carpool through UberX Share or Lyft Line, it's even cheaper—an extra person is usually just a dollar or two more. You can see the price before you select it, but you need to be ready when the ride arrives or risk a cancellation fee and missed rides. These services are best for those traveling with an aide or a caregiver who can lend a hand in and out of the car. Via may be cheaper (often just $5 a trip), but pickup and drop-off are not always door to door. Or call 211 to find out if your community has a local shared ride service. For example, Ryde4Life, a membership program in several New Jersey communities, is a good option for those without a smartphone. Passengers 50 and older who have a valid Pharmaceutical Assistance to the Aged and Disabled card issued by the New Jersey Department of Human Services are eligible for certain discounts, including reduced Uber charges and waived administrative fees for eight rides a month. The company makes all the arrangements, including choosing the cheapest option and reserving the ride. 
3. Medicaid. If you receive Medicaid benefits each month, you may be eligible for assisted transportation for a small fee per ride. "Check with your Medicaid social worker to see if you're eligible and to find out about the services in your community," says Virginia Dize, co-director of the National Aging and Disability Transportation Center in Washington, DC.
4. Volunteer groups. Volunteer groups and houses of worship often provide free rides, but you usually have to plan a week or two in advance. Reach out to your local church or synagogue to find out, or contact the local Area Agency on Aging and ask to speak to a volunteer coordinator or office manager who can explain all the options.
5. Hospitals. If transportation limitations or financial constraints make it hard for you to get home from a hospital stay or to an appointment for a test or checkup, call the hospital switchboard during business hours and ask to speak with someone in the social work office, suggests S. Andrew Josephson, MD, FAAN, chair of the department of neurology at the University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine. They may have funds to help you with travel or can refer you to a program that can help. "We want our patients to maintain healthy lives and remain engaged with their communities," says Dr. Josephson. "Helping them find transportation to and from medical and social appointments is part of that goal."