By Shakira Ericksen

The Hyde Shuttle Program for King County and Senior Services is the fourth largest transportation system in the Country of any city, including Metro and the rest.

Hyde Shuttle services are at no cost although they accept donations. They are currently serving over 50,000 seniors and their families.

Created in 1997, Hyde Shuttles transports seniors and people with disabilities to hot meal programs, medical appointments, senior centers, grocery stores and other local destinations, according to their website.
Brady Wright, Community Outreach Director for Senior Services spoke briefly to the Des Moines City Council to re-inform constituents about the service and to let people know that there are volunteer driver positions open.

Wright is the only outreach individual that is not quartered in the downtown Seattle area.

“Staying independent as we age is one of the most frequently mentioned concerns of seniors,” said Wright.

“Our vans are comfortable, our drivers are friendly, we can pick you up from your home and take you to the grocery store, medical appointments, banking, errands, shopping, the movie theater, to the park, the waterfront, to the farmers market, anywhere in our service area,” said Wright.

The service operates from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Anyone within King County aged 55 and over or with a disability is eligible to use the service.

“There is no application, all it takes is one phone call,” said Wright.
“It’s very simple.”

All the Hyde Shuttle vans are wheelchair and lift equipped and most of the drivers in Des Moines are local area volunteers, either from Des Moines, Burien, Normandy Park or the surrounding area.

“Right now we do have a few openings for volunteer drivers,” said Wright. “I’m a bit biased. The Des Moines crew of volunteers are some of the absolute best in the entire system.”

“It takes about half a day a week,” said Wright. “We provide all the training, all the insurance, there’s no special license needed.”

For more information about Hyde Shuttles call (206) 727-6262 or visit their website

http://www.seniorservices.org/transportation/HydeShuttles.aspx