Get Around! Senior Rides Program
What is the Get Around! Senior Rides Program?
It's a program offered through the Parks and Recreation Department that offers seniors 60+ years old living in San Mateo a safe and affordable alternative to driving.
Registration for the program is required and can be done online, in person, or by mail. (Please note, due to rider demand, we currently have a waitlist for new riders.)
- Online registration - Waitlist Only
- In person or by mail: Complete a registration form (Español) and mail to: 2645 Alameda de las Pulgas, San Mateo Ca 94403, or return to your nearest Recreation Facility or the Senior Center.
Once registered, a Get Around! Membership card will be mailed to your home address within 5-7 business days.
As a participant in the Get Around! Senior Rides Program, you will be able to schedule rides in advance or on-demand, 24 hours a day/7 days a week once you have received your card in the mail.
Program Parameters
- Participants are able to take 4 one-way trips or 2 round trips.
- Pay $5 per one way rid or pay $2 per one way ride with approved Recreation Fee Assistance.
- Rides must begin OR end in the City of San Mateo.
- Cities covered under the $5.00 supplemental fee are limited to: Belmont, Burlingame, Foster City, Hillsborough, Redwood City, San Carlos, the Veteran’s Hospitals in Menlo Park and Palo Alto, and Stanford Affiliated Medical Offices.
- Please note that destinations in Palo Alto and Menlo Park are not included in the program with the exception of the Veteran’s Hospitals and Stanford Affiliated Medical Offices.
- If you have not used the service in 12 months, your account will be deactivated and you’ll need to reapply.
- Scheduling a Ride
-
- Call Serra Yellow Cab at (650)222-2222 to schedule rides. Tell the dispatcher you are a Get Around member.
- You may schedule rides in advance.
- If you have not used the service in 12 months, your account will be deactivated and you’ll need to reapply.
- Membership Card
-
- You will receive one membership card when you register; it remains active as long as you are enrolled.
- Your card automatically loads up to 4 one-way rides on the 1st of each month at 12:01am.
- If your card malfunctions, the driver will still provide the ride for $5 and record it manually. Extra rides taken due to a malfunction will be deducted the next month.
- One card covers up to four people (the cardholder plus three others) for the same $5 one-way fare.
- Cards shall not be lent to others.
- Report lost or stolen cards immediately to Senior Center at 650-522-7490.
- Ride Limits & Tracking
-
- Unused rides do not carry over into the next month.
- Track your remaining rides by requesting a receipt after each trip. Drivers can check your balance before a ride.
- Dispatchers cannot check card balances.
- Participants pay the $5 fee per one-way ride at the time of travel.
- Ride Experience
-
- Wheelchair/scooter-accessible vehicles are available— you must request one when scheduling.
- Pay with cash or credit card.
- Shared rides require all riders to be picked up and dropped off at the same location.
- Service is curb-to-curb; drivers cannot enter buildings.
- Drivers can assist with walkers.
- During peak times, wait times may be 30–45 minutes.
- Travel Outside Program Area
-
- For trips to SFO, the program covers travel up to the Burlingame border. After that, the meter resets and you are responsible to pay the remaining fare.
- For travel beyond program boundaries, the program covers travel up to the program boundary way. After that, the meter resets and you are responsible to pay the remaining fare.
- Participants must provide accurate addresses and understand program boundaries.
- Recreation Fee Assistance Program for Get Around
-
- Eligible City of San Mateo residents may qualify for reduced fares at $2 per one-way ride.
- Apply using the Recreation Fee Assistance Program application, available at recreation centers, online at www.cityofsanmateo.org, or by calling 650-522-7490.
- Applications require income documentation and may take up to 5 business days to process.
- Approval is not guaranteed. Participants who are approved will receive a new card with the reduced fare
Updates:
The Get Around Senior Rides Program has received strong community participation and has now reached full capacity. Beginning, January 12, 2026, requests for enrollment will be placed on a waitlist until an opening becomes available.
Starting July 1, 2026 monthly ride limits will be reduced from eight (8) one‑way trips to four (4).
If you have not used the service in 12 months, your account will be deactivated and you’ll need to reapply.
We understand the importance of reliable transportation, you can find additional resources and transportation options within San Mateo County at Peninsula Rides: https://peninsularides.com/