Jefferson Council on Aging provides transportation services in designated areas of Jefferson Parish directly through the use of vehicles normally operated by paid staff. In some geographical areas transportation is provided indirectly by JCOA by purchasing rides or trips from municipalities (Gretna, Kenner and Westwego) that operate their own vehicles. JCOA does not provide medical transportation service.
Transportation service is provided primarily for individuals to access the nutrition services provided by JCOA. Nutrition services are provided through a network of senior centers and nutrition sites located throughout Jefferson Parish. An individual who is receiving transportation service to a nutrition location will be transported five days per week, excluding holidays and/or days when the congregate nutrition program is not operating.

Non-nutrition service clients, who reside on the same general route as nutrition passengers, may be picked up at their home and transported to the same location as the regular passengers. They will be transported to their home at the same time as the regularly scheduled passengers.

Special services transportation (for example grocery shopping) is provided for five or more passengers on a regularly scheduled basis. These trips, called social rides, usually begin at the Senior Center.

A lift equipped vehicle is available upon request to transport mobility impaired passengers.

Transportation may be provided for special events when proper notice is given and policy for use of vehicles is met. Reimbursement is required for some special arrangements for use of transportation.

JCOA does not provide medical or emergency transportation service.

Transportation Rules:

• No eating on the vehicle.
• No smoking on the vehicle.
• No drinks allowed on the vehicle.
• No chewing tobacco, snuff, or chewing gum while on the vehicle.
• Do not throw paper, cups or other trash on the floor of the vehicle.
• Buckle up or walk!

General Procedures:

• Drivers check in daily for cancellations, pick-ups, or addition of passengers to their route.
• A passenger will not be given bodily assistance in loading or unloading vehicle unless they request same. Only then can driver assist passenger on and off the vehicle, by standing next to the door where the passenger is entering or exiting.
• Drivers may not use step stools, to load and unload passengers that have not been approved by JCOA’s Transportation Department.
• A Passenger must notify Transportation before 9:00 a.m. on the morning scheduled for pick-up, if he/she is not utilizing the service that day. Special Services passengers (for example, the Wednesday a.m. recreation riders) are asked to call in the day before for cancellations only.
• A passenger may be dropped from nutrition transportation services if he/she misses 20 consecutive days.
• A passenger will be notified by letter that he/she is being dropped from service.
• A passenger must sign daily route sheet acknowledging that transportation was provided.

How to apply for Program (persons age 60 or older):

1. Contacting the Jefferson Council on Aging Information and Assistance (I&A) division to complete the in-take information.
2. Arranging an interview appointment with the Care Management Worker to complete the in-take form at the senior center, nutrition site or applicant’s residence.
3. Cooperating by signing all required documents such as the grievance procedure, rules, and answering questions needed to complete the assessment process.
4. Completing the online application.
5. Cost: Donations of $3.00 per round-trip are requested. All passengers are given an opportunity to contribute towards the cost of transportation.

Hours:

Generally 8:30am - 3:45pm Monday through Friday except Holidays. Hours of operation vary depending on location and provider of services.

Public and Paratransit Transportation for Seniors and/or Disabled Persons in Jefferson Parish:

Jefferson Transit, serves the urbanized portion of Jefferson Parish, Louisiana. Jefferson Transit also provides service to downtown New Orleans and the Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport. Connecting service is provided to the RTA bus lines in Kenner, Gretna and New Orleans. Jefferson Transit provides both fixed route ADA accessible bus service and MITS curb-to-curb Paratransit van service for certified riders who are unable to use the fixed route service.

Mobility Impaired Transit System, known as MITS, is part of Jefferson Transit, the Jefferson Parish public bus service. MITS provides transportation for persons with disabilities who are unable to use fixed route Jefferson Transit service. The fixed route service has designated bus stops at regular 2-block intervals along specific routes, while MITS service is curb-to-curb and demand responsive. The MITS service, also known as paratransit service, is designed to meet the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). LIFT/Dial-A-Ride is a comparable paratransit service operated by the Regional Transit Authority in Orleans Parish.

MITS Service Area Map

Who is Eligible to Ride MITS?

MITS service is available to persons who meet specific criteria described in the ADA. Individuals are eligible for MITS service only if there is some part of the fixed route bus system that they cannot use or navigate because of a disability. An individual is eligible if he or she has a permanent, temporary, or intermittent disability as described below and if the fixed route bus system cannot provide service to a particular individual for a particular trip. For more information and application information connect with the MITS website: http://www.gcr1.com/JET/MITS.htm