Senior citizens can still get a ride — for free — thanks to this Southlake company

The way Erik Phelps and his friends see it, aging brings on enough challenges. Elderly people shouldn’t have to do without their cars.

That’s why there’s Call A Ride Southlake, or CARS. It’s a free service that senior citizens and physically challenged individuals can call for a ride to and from places around town

“We’re all going to find ourselves in this situation at some point in time. We’re all going from green to gray,” said Phelps, CARS executive director.

CARS, created in 1999 as a nonprofit service, uses volunteers to drive riders anywhere in Southlake within a seven-mile radius for non-medical reasons. For medical purposes, the radius is extended up to 25 miles.

And it’s all free. Drivers volunteer their time, cars, and even pay for their own gas. Riders must, however, give advance notice of at least 72 hours to allow for scheduling. Rides are provided Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Phelps said CARS currently has two dozen volunteer drivers. Their only requirements are a willingness to serve, along with passing a background check, and no serious driving penalties such as a DWI.

“If I had to put my finger on a common thread among our drivers, it’s that they can’t be with their own parents to drive, so they’re driving someone else’s parents,” Phelps said. “Maybe their parents don’t live nearby, or they’ve passed away. They just feel this need to help.”

He said CARS volunteers drive around 12,000 miles annually and the service has more than 400 users.

“That’s a lot of miles on their individual car, and that’s a lot of time,” he said, adding that last year CARS provided around 50,000 rides.

His wife, Soheila, was executive director of CARS for six years. She is now the city’s senior services coordinator.

“CARS has been in our lives for many years,” he said. “We tend to forget that person we are giving a ride to has lived a life and has wisdom and experiences worth sharing. This has given me a much greater appreciation of that. Who knew what was right in front of me?”

Lisa Adam, a volunteer driver for over 10 years and a member of the CARS board of directors, said that while there are other commuter services in other cities, CARS offers a special touch. Not only is it free, but it also gives its riders a chance to bond with drivers they often use on a regular basis.

“This one lady gives me a kiss every time I pick her up. It’s so sweet, and I look forward to seeing her,” Adam said. “She tells me about where she travels. She has a son who works for an airline. One lady would talk about World War II, and it was good to hear about it from her perspective.

“We have a lady who’s used us since our beginning. She’s 102. She’s the first person I ever drove for. Everybody loves Miss Martha.”

The city of Southlake helps with some funding for expenses. The company also holds fundraisers with local businesses and restaurants throughout the year, such as the one scheduled for Thursday at the Kendra Scott store in Southlake Town Square from which 20 percent of all sales that day will be donated to CARS, along with any online orders prior to that day specifying a donation to CARS.

“We are proud of our partnership with CARS,” Southlake Mayor Laura Hill said. “The CARS volunteer drivers make it possible for Southlake seniors, who might need a little extra help getting around, enjoy time at places like the Senior Activity Center or go to a doctor’s appointment. It’s a great benefit for our seniors and their families.”

Also, the Southlake Women’s Club helps pay for the company’s insurance, and Texas Health Resources provides some assistance, Adam said.

Expenses are few, but they do include operating a small office, phone service, and insurance. Phelps is the only paid employee.

Among the popular places riders are taken is to the new senior center, which opened three years ago. Beauty and barber shops are also popular destinations, or out to lunch with friends, and sometimes just to go shopping.

“I’ve used it for quite a while. It just makes my life easier,” Kay Simpson said. “I gave up driving because the traffic is so terrible here. My daughter helps me a lot, but this frees her up for other things in her life.”

The service also offers riders a chance to bond with each other. Often they will share rides, Phelps said.

“Sometimes on the way to taking someone to Bible study, we’ll stop and pick up two or three to take to the senior center,” he said. “These social interactions might even be more important to them emotionally than a doctor’s visit.

Toni Fitzgerald’s mother is also a longtime user of the program. She said thanks to CARS her mom can still get out and enjoy life.

“What can you say? You have personal transportation and it’s free of charge,” Fitzgerald said. “It’s hard to give up your independence, and with CARS she doesn’t have to.”

For information or to schedule a ride, go to http://www.callaridesouthlake.org/ or call 817-798-4022.