TEXT SIZE

SHARE

TRANSPORTATION

Rafters venture out from a small island in Hopkinton State Park/Photo by Douglas Flynn

Transportation is a major issue for many seniors and their caregivers. Finding a safe and reliable way to get your loved one where they need to go can be a challenge.

Resources are limited in meeting this need, but here are some of the options available in MetroWest to help with traveling to medical appointments, shopping and running errands.

MassHealth Transportation Services:

Individuals enrolled in MassHealth Standard or Commonhealth who need non-emergency transportation to and from medical appointments may be eligible for free transportation services, reimbursement for transportation expenses or van or taxi service free of charge. For more information on these services and the eligibility requirements, visit the Mass.gov website for Heathcare Transportation Resources and MassHealth transportation.

Public Transportation:

Due to the Covid-19 Pandemic, we strongly encourage you to contact the resources below to inquire about their operating restrictions during this crisis. 

MetroWest Regional Transit Authority
Elder Services: MWRTA offers fixed bus route service throughout much of the MetroWest region. In addition, it offers a number of services to specifically address the needs of seniors and disabled commuters, including:

  • Dial A Ride service for residents of Ashland, Marlborough, Southborough and Wayland.
  • Grocery program for Natick residents 65 and older with service from Natick to Market Basket in Ashland on Tuesdays and Thursdays ($3.00 roundtrip, call 508-935-2222).
  • Council on Aging programs for in-town transportation in Ashland, Holliston, Hopkinton, Sudbury and Wayland.
  • MetroWest RIDE program for residents in Framingham and Natick who cannot independently access fixed route buses. Must apply for eligibility. For more information, see the MW RIDE Guide [PDF]

Phone: 508-820-4650
Website: www.mwrta.com/index.cfm?event=SDTrans
MetroWest communities served: Ashland, Dover, Framingham, Holliston, Hopkinton, Marlborough, Milford, Natick, Sherborn, Southborough, Sudbury, Wayland, Wellesley

Worcester Regional Transit Authority
Elder Services: Individuals age 60 and over or with a disability can ride for half the regular fare with proper identification.
Phone: 508-791-WRTA (9782)
Website: www.therta.com/elderly-and-disabled/
MetroWest communities served: Northborough, Westborough

An uphill look at downtown Marlborough /Photo by Douglas Flynn

Greater Attleboro Taunton Regional Transit Authority
Elder Services: Complementary paratransit service (Dial-A-Ride) is available to persons with disabilities who are unable to use accessible public fixed-route bus services. GATRA also provides curb-to-curb transportation to passengers 60 years of age or older and reduced fares on fixed-route bus service to eligible individuals with a disability or seniors 60 or older.
Phone: 781-294-8220
Website: www.gatra.org
/index.php/special-services
/senior-disabled/

MetroWest communities served: Bellingham, Franklin, Medway, Norfolk

Miles for Health
GATRA’s Miles for Health program is shared long distance medical transportation serving seniors and people with disabilities in the towns of Franklin, Foxboro, Norfolk and Wrentham.
Phone: 800-698-7676.
Website: www.gatra.org/index.php/special-services/miles-for-health/
Note: Reservations are taken Monday through Friday from 8 a.m.- 4 p.m. 48 hours advanced notice is required.
Boston Schedule: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday.  Appointments must be made between the hours of 9 a.m. and 1 p.m.
All Other Trips: All other long distance medical trips, such as Burlington, Framingham, Newton-Wellesley and Worcester, will be scheduled for Wednesdays.  Appointments must be made between the hours of 9 a.m. and 1 p.m.

The RIDE
The RIDE is the MBTA’s paratransit service for people with disabilities who are unable to independently use general public transportation. To apply, individuals need to appear for a confidential, in-person interview to determine eligibility.
Phone: 617-337-2727
Website: www.mbta.com/theride
MetroWest communities served: Dover, Medfield, Needham, Wellesley

Need help when going to the doctor?

Jewish Family Service of Metrowest (JFS) Elder Care Solutions Patient Navigator Program provides trained volunteers to accompany older adults to medical appointments, providing support and guidance to help older adults get the information and care they need.

The program is available free of charge for older adults living in Framingham and the surrounding area. For more information, contact JFS by email or call 508-875-3100 x110.

LGBT+ Ally Patient Navigator Expansion
With support from the Tufts Health Plan Foundation Momentum Fund and the Cummings Foundations Sustaining Grant, the JFS Patient Navigator program has expanded its reach into the local older adult LGBT+ community to combat the health disparities that effect LGBT+ older adults and to break down the barriers that these individuals face in health care settings. Download the Flyer

Private Pay Escort Services for Medical Appointments, Errand and Social Events:

Comfort Keepers
Contact: Don True
Phone: 866-888-5800
Rates: Driver $22/hour; $0.55/mile; 2 hour minimum

Medical Resources
Contact: Robin Boucher
Phone: 508-879-3450
Rates: Caregiver rides with client in taxi; $22/hour; client pays for taxi

Right at Home – Newton
Contact: John Paul Plouffe
Phone: 617-597-1500
Rates: Driver $25/hour; $0.57/mile; Caregiver rides with client in taxi; $25/hour; client pays for taxi; Caregiver uses client’s car, $25/hour

Other Transportation Resources:

Springwell Senior Medical Escort Program
Phone: 617-926-4100
Note: Program matches frail seniors with volunteers to drive and/or accompany them to medical appointments between 8 a.m.-5 p.m. in Boston and Springwell area towns. Individuals must be 60 or over, unable to get to medical appointments independently and able to get in and out of car with minimal assistance. Rider responsible for tolls and parking fees. Requested donation is $4 each way. Call Springwell one week before appointment.

Town-Specific Services
Most Councils on Aging offer at least some transportation services, while each town also has a number of other private pay and/or volunteer services available. Please check out our interactive map to find the services available in your town.

This is a partial listing courtesy of CaregivingMetroWest.org. CaregivingMetroWest.org does not license, endorse or recommend any providers. For information call BayPath Elder Services, Inc. at 508-573-7200.

Still haven’t found what you are looking for?

Check out the other categories in our Local Resources section or search by town on our clickable map featuring 25 communities in MetroWest.