News

• Your Input is Needed for a Fairfax County Transportation Information Survey - FCDOT is seeking input regarding the creation of a "One-Stop-Shop" information resource center for all Fairfax County funded transportation services.

 
• Special Needs Registry - The Special Needs Registry allows residents with medical needs and organizations assisting those with social needs an opportunity to provide information to Fairfax County so that agencies can communicate emergency preparedness, response and recovery resources to our vulnerable, at risk and hard-to-reach residents.

 
• Taxicab Fuel Surcharge reinstated - On January 28, 2008 the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors voted to extend the $1.00 per ride taxicab fuel surcharge through October 31, 2008. Seniors On-The-Go! and TaxiAccess coupons will continue to include an extra $3.00 coupon per booklet to help offset the cost of the fuel surcharge.

Senior Transportation: Progress in the Making

It’s a common theme in congested Northern Virginia that it is difficult to get about without your own vehicle. Senior citizens, in particular, face great adversities in traveling due to difficulties in using public transportation, limited hours of Fastran availability and the existence of physical and mental disabilities. It appears at times that transportation resources for senior citizens are few and far between.

However, a new and exciting transportation project began March 1, 2001 that greatly increased the transportation options of many senior citizens that live in Fairfax County.

The new transportation program called Seniors-On-The-Go! was part of a Board of Supervisors’ transportation initiative approved for FY 2001. Over two years in the making, this program had been designed as a pilot (or temporary) program for those seniors 65 years of age or older who meet certain income criteria and live in selected zip code areas in Fairfax County.

The program was tested in a limited area of the county and is now available countywide*. Seniors who qualify for this program may purchase taxicab coupon booklets worth $30 at a cost of only $10 per booklet, which means that two-thirds of the cost of the taxicab rides will be subsidized (paid for) by Fairfax County. Once registered, a senior may then call one of the three approved taxicab companies and schedule a ride (the telephone numbers of the approved vendors are on the inside front cover of the coupon booklets.)

This program is limited to individuals with an annual income of $40,000 or less for a family of one and $50,000 or less for a married family of two. If you are 65 or older, and qualify for the program based on the income limits, you are encouraged to apply for the service. Once your application has been processed and you have been found to be eligible, you may purchase up to $480 worth of taxicab coupons (16 coupon books) within a 12-month period. Your actual cost for the maximum number of books is only $160 per year! Once enrolled in the program, qualified riders make their own arrangements directly with the taxicab companies. There are no restrictions on where a rider may go. See our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) for more information.

The SENIORS ON-THE-GO! application is posted in PDF format. Adobe® Reader® software is required to view PDF files.

Seniors-On-The-Go! is currently up and running. If you would like further information on the program, please call the Fairfax County Department of Transportation at (703) 324-1172 between the hours of 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday or use the SENIORS-ON-THE-GO! e-mail form.

*Note: Residents of the City of Alexandria and the City of Falls Church are not eligible.

Other resources for Seniors

• Fairfax County Senior Portal — A comprehensive list of programs and services for seniors.
• Fairfax Area Agency on Aging
— serves older adults in Fairfax County and the cities of Fairfax and Falls Church.
• Fairfax Area Commission on Aging — Advocates for the needs of Fairfax County, Fairfax City and Falls Church City seniors.