Senior Transportation in Casa Grande and Pinal County

Senior transportation in Casa Grande runs mainly through CG LINK, the city's curb-to-curb ride service. Florence, the City of Maricopa and Apache Junction each run their own programs, and San Tan Valley relies on regional referrals. Rules, ages and trip types differ by city, so start with the program tied to your address.

See homes in Casa Grande

Casa Grande: CG LINK

CG LINK is the City of Casa Grande's local transit service. The city's Senior Resources page lists it for medical appointments, shopping, senior center visits and other daily errands, and notes that reduced fares and accessibility accommodations are available. It is a curb-to-curb service with accessible vehicles, and trips must start and end inside the CG LINK service area, which the city posts as a map on its Book a Ride page.

You can book three ways: call CG LINK Dispatch at 520-509-6900, use the online booking site linked from the city's Book a Ride page, or download the CG LINK Rider app from the Apple App Store or Google Play. The city's Senior Services page lists Monday through Saturday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. service, and says advance reservations are recommended though same-day requests are accepted.

CG LINK also serves the Dorothy Powell Senior Center at 405 East Sixth Street (520-421-8760). If you are buying in one of the Casa Grande 55+ communities, I suggest pulling up the service area map with the exact address before you remove your option period contingencies.

City of Maricopa: Maricopa Express Transit (MET)

The City of Maricopa calls its service Maricopa Express Transit, or MET. You may also see it listed as COMET (City of Maricopa Express Transit) in the Central Arizona Aging directory, but the city's own transit page uses MET, so that is the name to search for.

MET has a few pieces. The fixed-route Local Circulator runs a loop on a set schedule, no reservation needed, with stops that include Copper Sky, the Maricopa Public Library, the Community Center and Pacana Park. Microtransit offers curbside pickup almost anywhere within city limits, with reservations up to six days ahead. The city page also refers to Dial-a-Ride booked through the same app. All vehicles are wheelchair accessible.

Book through the MET Mobile App or the reservation line at (833) 638-7433. The city lists weekday service from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., with no weekend service and closures on listed holidays. Service stops at city limits, so buyers in Province should plan separately for trips outside the city.

Florence: senior center vans and Give-A-Lift

The Town of Florence runs two programs. The Dorothy Nolan Senior Center, 330 N. Pinal Street, operates lift-equipped vans that take seniors to and from the center for meals, programs and activities in the morning hours. Rides are booked ahead by calling 520-868-7622. The town notes this van service is not for medical transport.

For medical appointments, Florence has Give-A-Lift, a volunteer driver program for Florence residents who are 55 or older or have a disability. Volunteers use their own vehicles. The town asks riders to allow at least two weeks to schedule, and rides depend on volunteer availability, so they are not guaranteed. Contact the Recreation Programmer at (520) 868-7648. Buyers at Anthem at Merrill Ranch should confirm with the town that their address qualifies.

Apache Junction: Ride Reimbursement Program

Apache Junction takes a different approach. Instead of running its own ride service, the city's Senior Services page describes a Ride Reimbursement Program for residents age 60 and older, or residents with a documented disability who live in a senior community. Approved trips are for medical purposes. Rideshare and a wheelchair-accessible cab are listed options.

You need paperwork on file first: the program guidelines and agreement, senior program registration and proof of residency, turned in to Parks and Recreation. The city notifies you when you can start logging trips, and mileage is not retroactive. The Senior Program at the Apache Junction Multi-Generational Center is the contact, 480-474-5260, weekdays 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

San Tan Valley and regional options

San Tan Valley is an unincorporated part of Pinal County, so there is no city transit system to sign up for. I could not find a San Tan Valley program on any official site. Your first call is Central Arizona Aging, which handles referrals for other community transportation at 800-293-9393 or 520-836-2758. Buyers looking at Solera at Johnson Ranch or other San Tan Valley neighborhoods should ask the HOA office whether the community runs any resident shuttle.

Central Arizona Aging senior-center rides. Central Arizona Aging is the public name of the Pinal-Gila Council for Senior Citizens, the area agency on aging. Its senior centers offer rides for adults 60 and older, with trips to and from the center taking priority. Medical, store and other community trips may be added when space allows. To apply, call the nearest senior center.

CART. Central Arizona Regional Transit, run by the City of Coolidge with Florence, Central Arizona College and Pinal County as partners, connects Coolidge and Florence, Coolidge and the CAC Signal Peak Campus, and CAC and Casa Grande. Service runs Monday through Friday. Call 520-723-7195 for schedules.

I did not find Valley Metro service extending into these Pinal County communities on the official sources I checked. If you are comparing with the West Valley, my Goodyear, Buckeye and Avondale senior transportation guide covers programs that do use Valley Metro.

How I use this with buyers

When I help someone buy in Casa Grande, Florence, Maricopa, San Tan Valley or Apache Junction, transportation goes on the checklist alongside the inspection. Here is the order I suggest:

1. Confirm which city or town the address is actually in. Mailing addresses and city limits do not always match.
2. Open that city's program page and check the service area, age rule and trip types.
3. Call the booking line with any questions about eligibility before you close.
4. Save the nearest senior center and Central Arizona Aging numbers for backup rides.

Age-restricted 55+ rules live in each community's CC&Rs. Buying in a 55+ community does not enroll you in CG LINK, MET or any senior-center ride program; those are separate sign-ups.

Questions people ask

Is there one senior bus for all of Pinal County?
No. Each city runs its own program with its own rules, and Central Arizona Aging senior centers offer rides for adults 60 and older.

How do I book a CG LINK ride in Casa Grande?
Call CG LINK Dispatch at 520-509-6900, use the online booking site on the city's Book a Ride page, or use the CG LINK Rider app.

Is it called MET or COMET in Maricopa?
The City of Maricopa calls it Maricopa Express Transit (MET). Central Arizona Aging lists it as COMET. It is the same city service.

What can San Tan Valley residents use?
San Tan Valley has no city transit system. Call Central Arizona Aging at 800-293-9393 or 520-836-2758 for referrals, and ask your HOA about resident shuttles.

Can Terry arrange my rides?
No. I help with the home search and can point you to these programs, but enrollment goes through each agency. Call 911 in an emergency.

More Pinal County guides

• Senior services in Pinal County: centers, meals and rides
• Hospitals near Pinal County 55+ communities
• Senior transportation in Goodyear, Buckeye and Avondale
• Casa Grande 55+ communities
• Senior fitness classes in Pinal County

Sources: City of Casa Grande Senior Resources, CG LINK Book a Ride, Casa Grande Senior Services, City of Maricopa Transit, Town of Florence Senior Center, Town of Florence Give-A-Lift, Apache Junction Senior Services, Central Arizona Aging, CART, CAG/SCMPO Coordination Plan.