Detroit, December 12, 2025

The Rides to Care program in Detroit has celebrated the provision of over 20,000 free round-trip rides to medical appointments for pregnant women, caregivers, and infants. Established to tackle transportation barriers, the program ensures that families have access to crucial healthcare services. By significantly reducing missed appointments, especially for infants, the initiative has proven effective and aims to expand awareness to benefit more residents in the future.

Detroit’s Rides to Care Program Celebrates 20,000 Free Rides

Detroit, Michigan – The city’s Rides to Care program has provided over 20,000 free round-trip rides to medical appointments for new and expectant mothers, caregivers, and infants since its launch in November 2024. This initiative aims to eliminate transportation barriers, ensuring that families have reliable access to essential healthcare services.

Program Details

Rides to Care offers no-cost transportation for women who are pregnant and caregivers of infants up to one year old, facilitating access to prenatal, postpartum, and pediatric appointments. Operating Monday through Saturday, the service covers healthcare providers within Detroit and extends up to five miles beyond city limits. To schedule a ride, eligible residents can contact the Rides to Care call center at (313) 876-0000. Call center hours are Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 6 PM and Saturday from 8 AM to 2 PM.

Impact on Healthcare Access

The program has significantly reduced missed appointments among infants under one year old. For instance, at Wayne Pediatrics, the no-show rate for this age group decreased from 40% to 14% between November 2024 and November 2025. This improvement underscores the program’s effectiveness in enhancing healthcare access for Detroit families.

Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for Rides to Care, individuals must meet the following criteria:

• Be a Detroit resident who is pregnant.
• Be a Detroit resident who is a mother, primary caregiver, or guardian of an infant up to one year old.
• Be a Detroit resident seeking postpartum visits up to one year following birth.

Booking a Ride

Residents can schedule a free round-trip ride by calling the Rides to Care call center at (313) 876-0000. Rides can be booked up to one hour before the appointment or a week in advance. Pick-up times are scheduled based on the time of the appointment, ensuring timely arrival. Rides are available during normal clinic hours.

Program Success and Future Goals

The milestone of 20,000 rides highlights the program’s success in addressing transportation challenges faced by Detroit families. Health officials aim to expand awareness of the service to ensure more residents benefit from this essential resource, further supporting maternal and infant health in the community.

Contact Information

For more information or to schedule a ride, call the Rides to Care call center at (313) 876-0000. Additional details are available on the City of Detroit’s official website.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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Key Features of the Rides to Care Program

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