June 23, 2026 · 3 min read
Free and Low-Cost Senior Transportation in the Inland Empire
Discounted bus fares and door-to-door rides for seniors across Riverside and San Bernardino counties — by area, with who qualifies and how to start.
Key takeaways
- Senior transit comes in two forms: reduced fares on the regular bus, and door-to-door paratransit.
- The right option depends on your area — each is served by a different agency.
- Paratransit usually requires a short eligibility application first.
- Your county aging office can help you find and apply for the right one.
Two kinds of help
Most senior transportation falls into two buckets:
- Reduced fares — a discount on the regular fixed-route bus, usually with a senior ID or Medicare card.
- Paratransit (Dial-A-Ride) — door-to-door rides for people who can't use the regular bus because of age or disability. These usually require a short eligibility application first.
Riverside County
- RTA Senior Reduced Fare — discounted fixed-route fares through the Riverside Transit Agency across western Riverside County.
- RTA Dial-A-Ride — door-to-door rides in the RTA service area.
- SunLine SunDial Paratransit — door-to-door service for seniors and people with disabilities in the Coachella Valley.
San Bernardino County
Because San Bernardino is the largest county by area in the contiguous United States, its service is split across several agencies:
- Omnitrans Senior Reduced Fare and OmniAccess Paratransit — discounted fares and door-to-door rides in the valley.
- Mountain Transit Paratransit — service in Big Bear and the Rim of the World communities.
- VVTA Direct Access Paratransit — door-to-door service in the Victor Valley and high desert.
How to get started
For reduced fares, you usually just need proof of age (a senior ID or Medicare card). For paratransit, plan to complete a short eligibility application — the agency confirms you qualify, then you can book door-to-door rides.
Not sure which agency covers your address, or how to apply? Your county's aging office can sort it out:
- Riverside County Office on Aging — 1-877-932-4100
- San Bernardino County Department of Aging and Adult Services — 1-800-510-2020
See it alongside your other benefits
Transportation is one piece of a bigger picture. A free eligibility check shows the transportation programs in your county plus everything else you may qualify for — food, health, in-home care, and bill help — in one place, no account needed.
Not legal or financial advice. The administering agency always makes the final decision.
Not legal or financial advice. The agency makes the final eligibility decision.