Uber to Ventura County

Uber Technologies Inc. is eyeing a new market for its rideshare services – senior citizens – and has chosen Ventura County’s seniors to test two new programs. Though well-established within Southern California, the San Francisco company has launched UberASSIST and UberWAV in the county as part of a pilot program to reach out to seniors, according to the Ventura County Star. Pilot program UberASSIST connects people with disabilities with drivers who can help them get in and out of vehicles, while UberWAV provides riders with vehicles equipped with ramps and lifts. Both services are now available to Ventura County residents through the Uber application and available for download via Apple’s iTunes store or Google Play. To get the message out, Uber is partnering with senior advocates and organizations in several states, including Valley-based nonprofit Senior Concerns in Thousand Oaks, to offer these services. Uber will hold a meeting Tuesday, Jan. 19 at 5:30 p.m. to discuss the new programs at Senior Concerns in Thousand Oaks at 401 Hodencamp Road.