Transport service for seniors
Our private transport service for seniors takes you to the doctor, to hospital, to therapy, to the hairdresser or to visit family – and back home again.
Learn more: Transport service for seniorsTransport service
Glossary · Types of transport · also: transport service for seniors, senior transport service, escorted transport service
In brief
The key points at a glance
A transport service takes people who cannot or should not drive themselves to appointments and back home — often older people or people with disabilities. There are volunteer driving services run by non-profit organisations and private, professional transport services that also carry passengers in a wheelchair, lying down and at short notice.
Also called: transport service for seniors · senior transport service · escorted transport service · volunteer driving service
Volunteer driving services
Non-profit organisations such as the Red Cross run transport services with volunteers, who usually drive their own cars. Billing is often based on an allowance per kilometre driven. The service is valuable and inexpensive, but is generally aimed at people who can get in and out of the car on their own. There is often a booking deadline of a few days, and the service is limited to certain municipalities or age groups.
Private, professional transport services
A private transport service such as Mobimed’s works with employed, trained staff and its own vehicles with ramp, lift and stretcher. It also carries people who have to stay in their wheelchair, who have to travel lying down or who are carried over stairs. It can be reached 365 days a year and also drives at short notice if a vehicle is available.
At Mobimed, transport service always means door-to-door accompaniment: collection from your home, help on the stairs, securing in the vehicle and accompaniment to the reception desk.
Which transport service is right for you?
If you are steady on your feet, can get in independently and plan early, a volunteer driving service is a good fit. If you use a wheelchair, cannot walk safely, have to lie down after an operation, have no lift in your building or need a journey at short notice, professional patient transport will serve you better.
For medically necessary journeys prescribed by a doctor, basic health insurance (KVG/LAMal) covers 50 per cent, up to a maximum of CHF 500 per calendar year. You pay privately for journeys to the hairdresser or family visits.
Transport service, taxi or patient transport?
A taxi is quickly available but designed for mobile passengers: the journey starts and ends at the kerb. A transport service for seniors also accompanies you on the way, and patient transport additionally brings the equipment for wheelchairs, stretchers and stairs.
For many older people, it is exactly this combination that matters: someone who rings the doorbell, helps them put on their coat, accompanies them safely down the stairs and does not simply drive off at the destination. That is why, in our transport service, we do not distinguish between “medical” and “private” journeys — the accompaniment is the same.
Relatives who cannot drive themselves thus have a reliable solution — including for appointments during working hours.
At Mobimed, you can book online or by phone on 0800 670 670 (free call), for yourself or for a relative. One accompanying person travels free of charge on every journey — for example the daughter who wants to be present at the doctor’s consultation.
In practice
Regularly to the doctor, occasionally to the family
Margrit, 86, lives alone in Birsfelden and uses the volunteer driving service for short journeys. Since a hip operation, however, she needs help on the stairs and a rollator. Her daughter now books Mobimed’s transport service for her doctor’s appointments — with collection from her flat — and at Christmas also the journey to the family in Liestal.
Related services
All services What we can drive for you
Transport to the doctor
We drive you to your GP, dentist, specialist or physiotherapist and bring you back home after your appointment.
Learn more: Transport to the doctor
Wheelchair taxi service Basel
With our wheelchair transport service – often also called a wheelchair taxi – you stay seated in your own wheelchair: you enter the vehicle via a ramp or lift.
Learn more: Wheelchair taxi service Basel
Seated transport
Seated transport is the right choice for medically stable patients who can sit during the journey but need support getting in and out.
Learn more: Seated transportAnswers
Frequently asked questions: Transport service
How much does a private transport service for seniors cost?
That depends on the distance, type of transport and amount of assistance needed. At Mobimed, you can get price information before booking on 0800 670 670 (free call).
Do you also drive to non-medical appointments?
Yes. We drive anywhere you need accompaniment — to the hairdresser, to family celebrations or on visits. You pay for these journeys privately.
Glossary
All terms Related terms
Types of transportSeated transportSeated transport is a form of patient transport for people who can sit during the journey but need support getting in and out and on the way.Occasions and assistanceAccompanying personAn accompanying person is a relative, a friend or another trusted person who rides along during patient transport.Occasions and assistanceSpitex (home care)Spitex — short for “spitalexterne Hilfe und Pflege”, i.e.Types of transportStair chairA stair chair is a light, padded chair with straps and carrying handles that is used to carry patients safely up and down stairs.
Place an order
Book transport — online, straight to our dispatch team
Client, patient, appointment — one form that goes directly to our dispatch team. Prefer to call? That works too.
Verified, not just claimed
The first IVR-recognised patient transport service in north-western Switzerland
Recognition by the Swiss Interassociation for Rescue Services (IVR/IAS) is not a self-assessment but the result of an external audit of vehicles, equipment, training and procedures. Mobimed was the first patient transport provider in north-western Switzerland to receive it — and still holds it today.
Check the certificate in the IVR registerRecognised by health insurersOur journeys are recognised by Swiss health insurers as medical transport.
Trusted by hospitalsKantonsspital Baselland Liestal · Bruderholzspital · Spital Laufen · Stiftung Alters- & Pflegeheime Binningen
Here for you 365 days a yearMon – Fri 06:00–22:00, Sat – Sun and public holidays 08:00–22:00.
A companion travels free of chargeWith every type of transport — no surcharge, no discussion.