Senior citizens in Sharpsburg, Aspinwall, lower O'Hara and Blawnox can get free rides to shop, go to the doctor, visit friends or just get out of the house through a new program called Free Rides for Seniors.

A 14-seat van made its inaugural run Monday. Rides are available from 9:45 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays along Freeport Road and on some side streets in the four communities.

Those age 60 and older reserve a ride by calling 412-782-2001 after 9:45 a.m. on the day they want to travel.

"That number goes to a hands-free cell phone, so when the [van] is in use, you can call and request to be picked up in the morning. When you're ready to return home, you call again and ask to be picked up," said Cathy Pschirer, of North Hills Community Outreach, which bought the van and is coordinating volunteer drivers through its Faith In Action program.

St. Margaret Foundation is funding the four-year, $156,000 program.

The van cannot accommodate wheelchairs, and riders must be able to board and exit on their own. Those who cannot use the van may be able to get a ride through a service already provided by Faith In Action, which recruits volunteer drivers through local churches and synagogues to provide rides to senior citizens.

Keith Willard, 54, of Oakmont, the van's first driver, welcomed about six passengers on his inaugural run Monday. "I thought there would be more people using it, but I guess the word hasn't gotten out about it yet," he said.

The van provides more freedom for seniors than the Access shared-ride service run by the Port Authority, said Arthur Scully, director of St. Margaret Foundation.

"You have to sign up pretty far in advance [for Access], and they may take you places too early or too late," he said, adding that Access recently increased its fares. "This program will not replace ACCESS, it will complement it."

Volunteers are needed to drive the van and to ride with drivers to help with ride requests and navigation. No special license is needed, but drivers must be at least 25 and will be trained in safety procedures by volunteers from Bluebird Bus Sales, of Pittsburgh. Volunteers generally will be asked to work three-hour shifts. To volunteer, call Pschirer at 412-307-0069.