Detroit mothers have long carried the impossible weight of trying to manage pregnancy, recovery, infant care, and daily survival while confronting gaps in transportation, healthcare access, and financial stability.
The Detroit Health Department’s Rides to Care program was created with that reality in mind. One year after its launch, the program has now provided more than 20,000 free round-trip rides to prenatal, postnatal, and pediatric appointments for pregnant residents, new mothers, primary caregivers, and infants up to one year old.
This milestone represents more than a number. It speaks to the daily struggles Detroit mothers face and the kind of assistance that becomes life-saving when the city steps in with support tailored to real needs.
Mayor Mike Duggan and Detroit’s Chief Public Health Officer Denise Fair Razo highlighted the program’s impact as they gathered with new mothers and babies to acknowledge a year of growth for Rides to Care.
“Every one of these rides means a Detroit mom and baby is getting the care they need to stay healthy,” said Mayor Duggan. “Hitting 20,000 rides shows just how well this program is working. 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.”
The service operates Monday through Saturday, offering no-cost transportation to healthcare providers within the city and up to five miles beyond, removing a barrier that has historically caused families to miss essential medical appointments.
Transportation has consistently ranked among the most significant challenges for expectant and new mothers in Detroit. Many rely on unreliable ride-share options, limited bus schedules, or family and friends who may also be juggling work, childcare, and health responsibilities. Rides to Care addresses that gap directly, helping residents reach care on time, with dignity, and without added financial strain.
The stakes are high in Detroit, where maternal and infant health outcomes continue to reflect longstanding inequities. The city has made ongoing investments aimed at reducing preventable complications during pregnancy, improving postpartum support, and increasing pediatric follow-up care. Rides to Care strengthens those efforts by ensuring families can consistently access medical appointments that contribute to healthier pregnancies and safer outcomes for infants.
The story of SisterFriends Detroit client Margarie Isbell underscores the program’s importance.
Margarie welcomed her daughter, Heaven, six months ago after a series of miscarriages and a traumatic loss connected to delayed transportation through a different service. During a previous pregnancy, she waited for a late ride, arrived at her clinic too late, and miscarried in the restroom.
“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.”
Her pregnancy with Heaven required frequent ultrasounds and increased monitoring. She battled the flu and pneumonia, all while grieving the death of her mother from acute pneumonia when she was four months pregnant. For someone navigating so many layers of vulnerability, reliable transportation was not just a resource — it was stability she could hold on to.
Margarie began using Rides to Care at six months pregnant and continues using the service for Heaven’s pediatric appointments. She described the program as a source of mental relief, removing the constant fear of missing essential visits. It allowed her to rest, recover, and focus on her daughter’s health rather than the logistics of getting from point A to point B.
Rides to Care was built with residents like Margarie in mind: Detroiters who are pregnant, postpartum up to one year, or caring for an infant during the most critical period of early childhood development.
Eligible trips include prenatal appointments, postpartum check-ins, and newborn pediatric visits. The city schedules rides through its call center, where residents can book transportation the same day or up to a week in advance.
As the program surpasses 20,000 rides, Detroit’s Health Department is emphasizing its commitment to residents who carry disproportionate burdens during pregnancy and early motherhood. Razo said the milestone reflects efforts to eliminate transportation barriers and expand access to care for families across Detroit.
“Rides to Care continues to help improve the health of Detroit families,” said Razo. “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.”
Rides to Care continues to grow as Detroit families navigate rising costs, health challenges, and the ongoing need for systems that meet them where they are.
The program marks a step toward ensuring that every Detroit mother — regardless of income, transportation access, or circumstances — can reach the care necessary to support a healthy pregnancy and a child’s first year of life.
For program details or to schedule rides, residents can call the Rides to Care call center at 313-876-0000. More information is available at detroitmi.gov/RidesToCare.
