Rides to Care Marks 20,000 Free Rides as Detroit Mothers Continue to Navigate Barriers to Maternal and Infant Health

December 12, 2025

Detroit's Health Department launched the Rides to Care program one year ago to address critical transportation barriers preventing pregnant women and new mothers from accessing medical care. The initiative has now delivered over 20,000 free round-trip rides to prenatal, postnatal, and pediatric appointments for Detroit residents, their infants, and primary caregivers. Operating six days weekly, the service transports families to healthcare providers within Detroit and up to five miles beyond city limits, eliminating a major obstacle that historically caused missed appointments in a community facing significant maternal and infant health disparities.

Who is affected

Pregnant Detroit residents
New mothers (postpartum up to one year)
Primary caregivers of infants
Infants up to one year old
Specifically mentioned: Margarie Isbell and her six-month-old daughter Heaven, a SisterFriends Detroit client
Detroit families navigating financial instability and healthcare access challenges

What action is being taken

The Detroit Health Department is providing free round-trip transportation to medical appointments through the Rides to Care program
The service operates Monday through Saturday
The city call center is scheduling rides for residents (same-day or up to one week in advance)
Transportation is being provided to healthcare providers within Detroit and up to five miles beyond city limits
Mayor Mike Duggan and Chief Public Health Officer Denise Fair Razo are highlighting the program's impact and acknowledging its one-year milestone

Why it matters

Transportation has been one of the most significant barriers preventing Detroit mothers from accessing essential prenatal, postnatal, and pediatric care, contributing to poor maternal and infant health outcomes that reflect longstanding inequities in the city. The program enables families to attend critical medical appointments that can prevent pregnancy complications, improve postpartum support, and ensure proper pediatric follow-up care, ultimately supporting healthier pregnancies and safer infant outcomes. For vulnerable mothers facing multiple challenges—like Margarie Isbell who endured previous pregnancy loss, illness, and grief—reliable transportation provides not just logistical support but mental relief and stability during the most critical period of early childhood development.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: Michigan Chronicle