Essential Transportation Volunteer

For many seniors, missing a medical appointment isn't just an inconvenience, it can have serious consequences for their health and well-being. The Essential Transportation Program ensures that seniors have a reliable, friendly, and supportive ride to vital medical appointments, including doctor visits, surgeries and other essential health-related trips. 

This program experiences the highest demand of all our volunteer programs, seniors rely on it heavily, and the need continues to grow. Our dedicated volunteers are some of the most committed, often driving at least once per week, ensuring seniors can access crucial medical care. 

Using an on-demand model, different volunteers sign up for each ride through an online system, allowing them to choose schedules that work for them. Volunteers provide door-to-door transportation, helping seniors get to their appointments safely while also offering companionship, reassurance, and support along the way. For many, the ride itself is just as valuable as the destination, offering a moment of social connection, a friendly conversation, or simply the peace of mind of knowing someone is looking out for them. 

This program is one of Calgary Seniors’ flagship programs, dating back to the late 1970s. Over the decades, it has evolved to meet the growing transportation needs of seniors. Some of our volunteer drivers have been involved for 10, 20, or even 30 years, with one volunteer driving more than 100,000 kilometers in service to seniors. 

More than just a ride, this program is about social connection and reassurance. Seniors are often anxious before medical appointments—they might forget a requisition form, be unsure about navigating a medical building, or simply feel uneasy about their visit. Our volunteers do more than drive—they navigate parking, accompany seniors into medical facilities, and ensure they feel comfortable and supported. Whether it’s a routine check-up or an ongoing treatment like dialysis or chemotherapy, seniors express deep gratitude for the kindness, respect, and comfort they receive from their volunteer drivers. 

The Essential Transportation Program is truly lifesaving. It ensures that no senior is left behind simply because they lack a way to get where they need to go, helping them maintain their health, independence, and dignity, one ride at a time.