Senior Transportation in New Bedford, MA

Local figures

Senior Transportation in New Bedford, MA: the local picture

17%

of households have no vehicle (9.5% in Bristol County)

11 mi

to the nearest hospital with an emergency department (Fall River)

15,512

residents 65 or older (15% of New Bedford)

36%

of residents 65+ report a disability (33% in Bristol County)

About 7,023 New Bedford households, 17%, have no vehicle (9.5% in Bristol County). The Census figure covers all ages, but older adults who stop driving are a large part of it.

Hospitals with an emergency department near New Bedford: Southcoast Hospitals Group in Fall River (11 mi); Saint Anne's Hospital in Fall River (12 mi); Falmouth Hospital in Falmouth (18 mi). Distances are straight-line, so allow more on the road.

36% of residents 65 and older report a disability. If walking is hard, look for a caregiver who is comfortable with walkers and car transfers, not only a driver.

New Bedford compared with Bristol County and Massachusetts

Census figure	New Bedford	Bristol County	Massachusetts
Households with no vehicle	17%	9.5%	12%
Residents 65+ with a disability	36%	33%	30%
Residents 65 or older	15%	18%	18%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	41%	30%	29%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	17%	11%	11%
Residents 85 or older	1.9%	2.1%	2.2%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$39,345	$54,856	—

Older residents in towns around New Bedford

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	Households with no car
Acushnet Center, MA	2.3 mi	816	4.4%
Smith Mills, MA	3.3 mi	976	14%
Bliss Corner, MA	3.9 mi	1,499	7.6%
Mattapoisett Center, MA	7.2 mi	719	1.5%
North Westport, MA	9.0 mi	861	5.7%
Fall River, MA	9.2 mi	15,169	16%

Hospitals near New Bedford

Hospital with an emergency department	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Phone
Southcoast Hospitals Group	Fall River, MA	11 mi	4 of 5	(508) 679-3131
Saint Anne's Hospital	Fall River, MA	12 mi	3 of 5	(508) 674-5600
Falmouth Hospital	Falmouth, MA	18 mi	4 of 5	(508) 548-5300
Brown University Health Morton Hospital	Taunton, MA	19 mi	1 of 5	(508) 828-7000

Straight-line miles from the center of New Bedford. Medicare (CMS) data, October 2026; call ahead to confirm. We are not affiliated with these providers.

What it covers

What a caregiver who drives can help with

Rides to doctor, dental and therapy appointments
Waiting during the appointment and taking notes
Grocery shopping, pharmacy and errands
Trips to church, the senior center and family

Cost

What senior transportation costs in New Bedford

At the Massachusetts median aide wage of $19.67 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,705 a month in wages, which is 52% of the $3,279 monthly median income of New Bedford households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Massachusetts's minimum wage is $15.00 an hour (U.S. Department of Labor table, updated July 1, 2026).

Hiring directly, you agree the rate with the caregiver and usually become the household employer (U.S. Department of Labor rules). Some families qualify for programs that pay for care at home; see Medicaid programs for family caregivers: who can be paid, and the rules in 12 states.

Before you hire

What to know before hiring a caregiver who drives

Giving up driving is a common reason older adults start to miss appointments and see fewer people. Before a caregiver drives, agree whose car is used, check that the auto insurance covers it, and agree a mileage rate in writing. The National Aging and Disability Transportation Center and the Eldercare Locator (1-800-677-1116) can point you to free and low-cost ride programs.

Questions worth asking: May I see your license and proof of auto insurance? Will you drive your car or ours? How do you help someone with a walker in and out of the car? More in our senior transportation guide.

CaregiverConnect does not run background checks. Check identity, references and any certification yourself before anyone starts. The Safety Center explains how.

Questions

Senior Transportation in New Bedford: common questions

Where is the nearest emergency hospital to New Bedford?

Southcoast Hospitals Group in Fall River, about 11 mi in a straight line from the center of New Bedford (Medicare hospital file). Its listed phone number is (508) 679-3131. In an emergency, call 911.

How much does senior transportation cost in New Bedford?

At the Massachusetts median aide wage of $19.67 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,705 a month in wages, which is 52% of the $3,279 monthly median income of New Bedford households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Massachusetts's minimum wage is $15.00 an hour (U.S. Department of Labor table, updated July 1, 2026).

Does Medicare pay for rides to appointments?

Original Medicare covers emergency ambulance trips, not routine rides. Medicaid covers non-emergency medical transportation for eligible members, and some Medicare Advantage plans include rides (Medicare.gov).

More near New Bedford

More senior care near New Bedford

Senior Transportation in nearby cities

Other care in New Bedford

More for New Bedford families

Sources

Census ACS 2020–2024 5-year; CMS provider data (October 25, 2026); U.S. DOL state minimum wages (July 1, 2026); BLS OEWS May 2025 aide wages, which cover employed aides rather than private rates.

Senior Transportation and Escorted Rides in New Bedford, MA