Montgomery County Department of Transportation Provides Free Taxi Service to COVID-19 Vaccination and Testing Sites for Seniors 65-and-Over and Residents with Disabilities

For Immediate Release: Friday, November 26, 2021

Taxicab companies operating in Montgomery County, including Action, Anytime and Regency/Barwood, are providing free roundtrip transportation for seniors 65-and-over and residents with disabilities to COVID-19 vaccination and testing locations. The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) is reimbursing taxi companies for the trips.

Participants have to register by calling Connect-A-Ride and get a free COVID-19 taxi code before booking.

“It is so important that our seniors and members of our disability community have the means to get vaccinated and COVID-19 tested,” said County Executive Marc Elrich. “Programs like these are imperative to the County’s fight against the pandemic. Especially now that booster shots are available for seniors 65-and-older who received two doses of the Pfizer vaccine. Transportation should not be an obstacle to vaccination and testing.”

The MCDOT program is funded by an Enhanced Mobility Grant from the Council of Governments and began last month.  

To schedule a trip, riders can call Connect-A-Ride at 301-738-3252 and provide their name, address, phone number and age to receive a “Free COVID Taxi Code.” With this code, travelers can call one of the Taxicab companies and schedule a free trip, giving them the COVID Taxi Code along with their trip information.

The participating taxi companies are:

• Action Taxi: 301-840-1000
• Anytime Taxi: 301-637-9292
• Regency/Barwood Taxi: 301-990-9000 or 301-984-1900

At the end of each trip, the rider signs a trip voucher.

“Taxi companies provide thousands of rides to seniors and the disability community in Montgomery County through the Call-n-Ride program and serve as a vital part of our transportation network,” said MCDOT Director Chris Conklin. “This program provides curb to curb service and while its being promoted for COVID-19 vaccination and testing, it can be used for any purpose among eligible community members.”

Federal mandate still requires drivers and riders to wear a face covering for the duration of the trip. 

To book a free vaccination appointment, find County COVID-19 testing sites and other related information, go to  montgomerycountymd.gov/covid19/vaccine.

For more information on MCDOT’s programs visit, montgomerycountymd.gov/dot, follow on Twitter and subscribe to MCDOT’s ‘Go Montgomery!’ newsletter. 

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Media Contact: Emily DeTitta, 240-372-2282 or emily.detitta@montgomreycountymd.gov

 

Release ID: 21-141
Media Contact: Emily DeTitta, 240-372-2282