Rides to Care surpasses 20,000 free rides, helping new & expectant Detroit moms & babies access vital care

• Since its launch one year ago, the Detroit Health Department continues offering year-round, no-cost rides for women who are pregnant and caregivers of infants, helping residents access vital care across Detroit.
• This milestone highlights how the program has strengthened access to preventive care, reduced transportation barriers, and supported healthier birth outcomes for Detroit families.

Mayor Mike Duggan and Chief Public Health Officer Denise Fair Razo joined with new mothers and their babies today to celebrate the impact of its Rides to Care program, which now has provided 20,000 free round-trip rides to doctor appointments to new and expectant Detroit moms, caregivers and babies. Launched just over one year ago in November 2024, Rides to Care provides free transportation for women who are pregnant and individuals who takes care of an infant up to one year of age to and from prenatal and postnatal appointments.

The Rides to Care service operates Monday through Saturday and provides transportation to healthcare providers in Detroit and up to five miles beyond city limits. It eliminates a major barrier to receiving consistent care for both expectant mothers and new parents.

"Every one of these rides means a Detroit mom and baby is getting the care they need to stay healthy. Hitting 20,000 rides shows just how well this program is working," Mayor Duggan said. "When transportation isn't a barrier, moms don't miss critical appointments, and that makes a real difference for their health and their baby's future."

Pictured left to right; Detroit Health Department Chief Public Health Officer, Denise Fair Razo; City of Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan; Rides to Care participants and their babies: Jantina Jackson and baby Jayce, Margarie Isebell and baby Heaven, Danielle Walker and baby Lilliana; Administrator of Clinical Programs, Dr. Iris A. Taylor; Wayne Pediatrics, Dr. Lynn Smitherman.

Client Spotlight: Margarie Isbell

Margarie Isbell, a SisterFriends Detroit client who uses the "Rides to Care" service, welcomed her daughter, Heaven, who is now six months old. Prior to this successful delivery, Margarie experienced several miscarriages. In one particularly traumatic instance, she was pregnant and waiting for transportation to a medical appointment through a different ride service. The ride was significantly delayed, and by the time she arrived at the clinic, she suffered a miscarriage in the restroom.

Due to her medical history, Margarie's pregnancy with Heaven was considered high-risk. She required frequent ultrasounds and increased medical monitoring, and during this time she became ill with both the flu and pneumonia. At four months pregnant, Margarie also experienced the devastating loss of her mother, who passed away from acute pneumonia.

Margarie began using the Rides to Care service when she was six months pregnant and continues to rely on Rides to Care for transportation to Heaven's pediatric appointments.

"The Rides to Care program has been a huge support for me mentally," Margarie said. "During my pregnancy, I was able to get to all my doctor appointments, and I still use the service to take Heaven to her pediatric appointments. It has been a weight lifted off my shoulders and such a great help, because I don't have to worry about transportation and I can now sleep."

Rides to Care participant, Margarie Isebell and baby Heaven.

Rides to Care offers year-round, no-cost transportation for eligible residents to attend non-emergency medical appointments. The Detroit Health Department actively supports residents by connecting them with the program, sharing information, and removing transportation barriers.

"Rides to Care continues to help improve the health of Detroit families," said Denise Fair Razo, Chief Public Health Officer. "Every ride represents a mother or baby receiving the care they need to thrive. Reaching 20,000 rides is a celebration of our commitment to making healthcare more accessible for every Detroiter. Reliable transportation should never be a barrier to good health, and this milestone reflects our dedication to supporting residents on their journey to wellness and strengthening health equity across our city."

Who is eligible for Rides to Care?

• Any expectant mother who is a Detroit resident
• Any mother/primary caregiver/guardian who is a resident of Detroit with an infant child (up to 1 year of age)
• Post-partum visits for a mother up to one year following birth

What types of health care visits qualify for free transportation?

• Prenatal: Healthcare appointments to help keep you and your baby healthy during your pregnancy
• Postpartum: Rides to healthcare appointments for up to one year following the birth of your child
• Newborn pediatric: Up to your baby's first birthday to help your baby stay healthy

How do I book free roundtrip transportation to my doctor through Rides to Care?

• Call the Rides to Care call center at (313) 876-0000
  • Call Center hours are Monday-Friday from 8 AM-6 PM and Saturday from 8 AM-2 PM
  • You will need to provide your name, contact information, home address and the address of your doctor to schedule
  • Rides can be scheduled for up to one hour before the appointment or a week in advance.
  • Pick up times will be scheduled based on the time of your appointment. Be sure to schedule enough time to get there
• Rides will be available anytime during normal clinic hours

Rides to Care's success comes from focused efforts in Detroit ensuring women who are pregnant and caregivers of infants up to one year old have reliable, timely transportation. Surpassing 20,000 rides is a milestone that not only marks the program's growth but also underscores its real impact on Detroit families during the critical stage of maternal and infant health.

For more information, call (313) 961-2229 or visit detroitmi.gov/RidesToCare.