Seniors Can Reduce Stress with Ride Share

Before we discuss how ride share can reduce stress for seniors, we need to identify the most common causes and/or sources stress.  Current events have magnified the levels of stress experienced by many seniors.

Financial Security

The annual inflation rate for the United States is 7.9% for the 12 months ended February 2022.  This is the highest rate since January 1982.  Many seniors live on fixed incomes and some rely exclusively on social security checks to meet their needs each month. Many older adults have modest savings (if any). Some lack the ability to afford basic medical care. Further, 63% of adults ages 65 and older have at least two chronic medical conditions, leading to increased out-of-pocket expenses. Most adults ages 65 and older receive Social Security benefits. The average benefit for a retired worker is $1,514 per month.  Worrying about how to make ends meet is a serious concern.

Transportation Costs

Triple A reports that the average Annual Cost of New Car Ownership Increases 5% to $9,282 or $773 per month.  AAA dives into the data every year to produce a comprehensive review of ownership costs across nine different categories of new vehicles. AAA found that average costs increased in every expense category it analyzed:

• Fuel costs rose to 11.6 cents per mile, up about half a cent from last year.
• Maintenance, repair and tire costs climbed to 8.94 cents per mile, up 0.73 cents.
• Annual average insurance costs inched up to $1,194 per year, a $5 increase.
• Licensing, registration and taxes rose to $753 per year, up $14.

Senior Ride Share Clubs can help seniors mitigate the rising costs of transportation.

Loss of Independence

Research shows one of the biggest concerns among seniors is the ability to live independently for as long as possible. Independence is a simple concept. At its most basic level, it means having full autonomy over one’s own life. Most seniors are able to live independently, but some will require different levels of assistance.  Senior Ride Share Clubs can help seniors continue to live independently.  

Loneliness and Depression

The loss of a close friend or a spouse or the decision to stop driving, cause a significant reduction in the amount of time a Senior can spend with other people. Changes in the amount of time spent with others can lead to a sense of isolation and loneliness and result in significant stress. Research shows that about 28 percent of adults aged 50-80 years felt depressed or hopeless for several days or more within the past two weeks and 44 percent reported feeling stressed. Senior Ride Share Clubs can help seniors stay engaged with friends, family and the community.

Senior Ride Share Clubs

What Makes Reliable Rider (RR) Different?

Reliable Rider Clubs can provide shared mobility for Seniors who want the Dollar Savings of Shared Ownership. Many seniors no longer want the liabilities of driving, auto ownership and maintenance for a variety of reasons. With shared ownership the operating costs of transportation are divided by the number of members in the club and by the miles of transportation used by each member. Operating costs include: drivers, vehicles, insurance, fuel, service maintenance, repairs and administrative costs. Seniors want safety, a competitive price, and availability. Reliable Rider Clubs (DBA’s) are motivated by cost-savings and operational-efficiencies for club members, rather than by profits generated for corporate shareholders and stakeholders.  If a Senior Ride Share Club is interesting to you - register your interest.

Reliable Rider Clubs provide a host of benefits for Seniors. All applicants for club membership receive background checks of criminal history prior to having their membership approved. Applicants pay for their own background check ($75 non-refundable). Clubs will have no more than 30 to 60 members in their Members Only Ride Share System. Club members can book their ride pickup time and location and the destination location up to 90 days in advance.  Other club members can share the same ride if their pickup location and destination location align with the route.  Club members pay $250 per month for up to 250 miles of transportation in that month.  If a club member uses more than 250 miles of transportation in any month, their credit card will be billed $1.50 per extra mile. 

Contact us with any questions you may have.

Are Female Ride Share Drivers at Risk for Sexual Assaults

Reliable Rider background checks every member (rider) in the ride share club, which means greater safety and security for club drivers.

 Female rideshare drivers report a wide range of unwanted experiences:  having passengers flirt with them, solicit them for sex, or making unwanted advances toward them. Many female drivers reportedly carry pepper spray and/or other defensive weapons in their vehicles.  Most rideshare drivers are legally classified as independent contractors, so they lack the protections available to regular employees.  Choosing whether or not to drive at night is a decision that many female drivers face. The demand is higher at night, so they can make more money, but they are more likely to encounter inappropriate or threatening passengers.  About 20 percent of Lyft drivers and 25 percent of Uber drivers in the US are women.  Passenger verifications, background checks, and in-vehicle cameras, could make conditions much safer for drivers. 

Sexual Assaults Reported

Lyft reported more than 4,000 sexual assaults during rides from 2017 to 2019.  It reported 1,096 sexual assaults in 2017, 1,255 in 2018 and 1,807 in 2019.  More than half of the incidents in 2019 were reported as non-consensual touching of a sexual body part.   About 156 reports involved non-consensual sexual penetration, according to the report. It also listed ten fatal assaults from 2017 through 2019, including four in 2019.  Lyft was sued by more than a dozen women in 2019 who alleged the company had failed to enact basic safety measures that would have prevented the alleged assaults. It also reported that from 2017 to 2019, more than 99% of rides occurred without any reported safety-related incident.  Uber released its safety report in 2019, which showed over 3,000 sexual assault claims from 2017–2018.

New drivers for Uber and Lyft have to undergo background checks before being allowed to drive. Both drivers and customers now have access to an in-app panic button that automatically contacts a 911 dispatcher and shares the caller’s location.

In 2019, a pregnant Lyft driver in Arizona, 39-year-old Kristina Howato, was fatally stabbed by a passenger.  Passengers (riders) are not currently required to complete background checks before making an account. There is no identity verification needed for passengers unless they are paying with a gift card or prepaid card. Riders can technically still use fake names or their friend’s accounts, making them harder to identify and track down if a sexual assault report is made. 

See a previous blog titled: Are Ride-share Drivers at Risk for Violence?

Why Drive for a Reliable Rider Club?

You won’t use your own vehicle.  The club provides the ride share vehicles.  You can drive up to 5 hours per day, 30 hours per week, 52 weeks per year.  You can earn up to $450 per week or $1800 per month plus tips.  You will get to choose which five-hour shifts you drive.   The shifts are (6 AM to 11 AM), (12 Noon to 5 PM) or (6 PM to 11 PM).  You won’t drive on Saturday mornings, although you may drive the club vehicle to a service location for vehicle maintenance. Your riders will be Club Members Only, who have all been background checked (no strangers).  Drivers must be medically fit to drive. If you are sick, a substitute driver will replace you upon request.  Drivers will be covered by the Club’s Auto Insurance Policy.  Coverage includes auto liability coverage, uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage, comprehensive coverage, collision coverage, medical payments coverage and personal injury protection.  Register your interest in becoming a club driver.

Known Riders

Reliable Rider Club members receive background checks of criminal history prior to their membership being activated, which means more safety and security for drivers and riders. Having a maximum club size of 60 members means you won’t be riding with strangers, but rather with people you see on a weekly or monthly basis.

Known Drivers

Reliable Rider Clubs hire experienced drivers who must have at least three years of driving experience. Background checks of criminal history and driver’s records are required.

Known Vehicles

Reliable Rider Club vehicles are serviced and inspected weekly on Saturday mornings. This means safer rides, because the age, quality and maintenance of the vehicles is transparent to all club members and drivers.

Reliable Rider Clubs – Members Only Ride Share System

Our clubs are attractive to Senior Citizens who no longer want to drive or individually own vehicles. People who cannot obtain a driver's license for any reason. People who want to opt out of the Legal Liabilities of driving.  People who want the Dollar Savings of Shared Ownership. People who have Medical Issues or concerns that prevent them from driving. People who want to manage the risks of consuming alcohol at restaurants, bars, music and sporting events. People who value Safety and Security above all other considerations.  Register your interest in becoming a club member.

 

Reliable Rider, LLC  

https://reliablerider.com/ 

4140 E. Baseline Rd., Ste. 101 

Mesa, AZ 85206 

4805392607 / 8002459025

The Benefits of Driving for a Reliable Rider Club

Our Members Only Ride Share Clubs hire pre-qualified drivers. We require background checks of criminal history and driver’s records. The Reliable Rider Club pays for these background checks.

Driver applicants need to produce several identifications including a valid driver’s license with photo, social security number, and proof of residence.  Drivers must have a good driving record and no serious criminal history. 

A driver can be suspended or terminated if the person is found to have provided false information or documents.  If safety concerns or complaints are received from club members, a majority vote by club members will terminate the driver.

Driving for a Reliable Rider Club has several advantages including: 

• You won’t use your own vehicle.  The club provides the ride share vehicles.
• You can drive up to 5 hours per day, 30 hours per week, 52 weeks per year.
• You can earn up to $450 per week or $1800 per month plus tips.
• You will get to choose which five-hour shifts you drive.   The shifts are (6 AM to 11 AM), (12 Noon to 5 PM) or (6 PM to 11 PM).
• You won’t drive on Saturday mornings, although you may drive the club vehicle to a service location for vehicle maintenance.
• Your riders will be Club Members Only, who have all been background checked (no strangers).
• Drivers must be medically fit to drive. If you are sick, a substitute driver will replace you upon request.
• Drivers will be covered by the Club’s Auto Insurance Policy.  Coverage includes auto liability coverage, uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage, comprehensive coverage, collision coverage, medical payments coverage and personal injury protection.

 

Reliable Rider, LLC   

https://reliablerider.com/ 

4140 E. Baseline Rd., Ste. 101 

Mesa, AZ 85206 

4805392607 / 8002459025