The following programs provide transportation opportunities for residents of the Emerson Health community. The availability of these programs often depends on where the rider lives, the origin point of their trip, and/or the destination. This guide provides resources and relevant contact information listed by town. Consider where you are looking to go and where you are starting from. Review the program’s qualifications, such as geographic boundaries, to help you navigate your trip. Please note: geographic boundaries may limit a direct ride from one point to another.
Acton
Curb to Curb through CrossTown Connect: Minutevan, Road Runner, Acton COA
Qualifications for Rides: Age 12+
Service Area: Acton, Boxborough, Littleton, Maynard, and medical facilities in Concord as well as other select locations
Pre-registration Required: No. Permission required for riders ages 12-18 and a profile must be created upon first ride.
Advance Notice: 24 hours, occasionally on-demand
More Information: www.crosstownconnect.org/minutevan-landing-page | Van Dispatch Phone: 978-844-6809
Email: Director@CrossTownConnect.org or Dispatcher@CrossTownconnect.org
Cross Acton Transit (CAT)
Qualifications for Rides: Age 12+
Service Area: Fixed route around Acton
Pre-registration Required: No
Advance Notice: None, follows fixed route schedule
More Information: www.crosstownconnect.org/minutevan-landing-page
Email: Director@CrossTownConnect.org or Dispatcher@CrossTownconnect.org
Acton and Maynard Commuter Shuttle to South Acton train station
Qualifications for Rides: Residents of Maynard and Acton and employees of companies along the shuttle route
Service Area: Shuttle runs on a fixed schedule between downtown Maynard (several fixed stops) and the South Acton commuter rail station.
Pre-registration Required: No, but passes must be purchased in advance. Shuttle drivers do not take cash.
Advance Notice: None
The Acton Rail Shuttle is temporarily suspended until further notice.
Bedford
Bedford Local Transit (BLT)
Qualifications for Rides: Anyone in Bedford may use the service. Wheelchair-accessible
Service Area: Service within town of Bedford. The BLT operates a deviated fixed-route service; it operates along a fixed route but deviates off route for pick up and drop off.
Pre-registration Required: Yes, for door-to-door rides. No registration required to ride on the fixed route; board at any stop at the scheduled time.
Advance Notice: Book ahead or call for rides on day service is requested. Rides are on a first come, first served basis. Medical rides can be booked up to three days in advance.
More Information: www.bedfordma.gov | Call 781-275-2255 to schedule rides.
Email: COA@bedfordma.gov
Bolton
GoBolton
Qualifications for Rides: 60+ and/or 18+ with a qualified disability
Service Area: Transportation to and from local destinations upon request through the Montachusett Regional Transportation Authority (MART) van or Clinton Livery. All rides must begin or end in Bolton. Includes trips to medical and other appointments, shopping, and stops at locations within central Massachusetts. Program serves:
| Acton |
Fitchburg |
Marlborough |
| Ayer |
Gardner |
Maynard |
| Berlin |
Groton |
Pepperell |
| Bolton |
Harvard |
Princeton |
| Boxborough |
Hudson |
Rutland |
| Burlington |
Lancaster |
Shirley |
| Clinton |
Leominster |
Sterling |
| Concord |
Littleton |
Westborough |
| Devens |
Lunenburg |
Worcester |
Availability: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Pre-registration Required: Yes
Advance Notice: 3 business days requested, may be able to accommodate less notice
More Information: Call Council on Aging at 978-779-3314 | www.townofbolton.com
Boxborough
Council on Aging / Montachusett Regional Transit Authority (MART) transportation van service
Qualifications for Rides: Boxborough residents age 60 or older, or age 18-59 with a disability or injury that prevents driving. Wheelchair accessible
Service Area: Boxborough, Acton, Harvard, Littleton and Stow; Concord is included for medical appointments.
Pre-registration Required: Yes
Advance Notice: 48 hours. Non-medical rides may be booked up to one week in advance. Medical appointment rides may be booked up to four weeks in advance.
More Information: Council on Aging Van Dispatch: 978-264-1730 or 978-264-1717 | Boxborough Council on Aging and COA Van Guidelines [Opens as a PDF]
Email: COA Director: kdee@boxborough-ma.gov
Go Boxborough!
Qualifications for Rides: Boxborough residents age 60 and older and adults age 18 and older with disabilities. Some vans are wheelchair accessible; others are not.
Service Area: Door-to-door rides in local area and within a 25-mile radius of Boxborough, including Boston and Worcester, for non-urgent medical and dental appointments
Pre-registration Required: Yes
Advance Notice: 48 hours in advance. Reservations can be made up to four weeks in advance.
More Information: Council on Aging Phone: 978-264-1730 or 978-264-1717 | Boxborough Council on Aging Website and Van Service and Go Boxborough information [Opens as a PDF]
Carlisle
Carlisle Council on aging and human services (coahs) Transportation
Qualifications for Rides: Carlisle seniors and residents with disabilities (any age)
Service Area: medical appointments, COAHS events, grocery shopping, and errands. Service is limited to Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Below arethe Ride Categories/Suggested Donation:
- Rides within Carlisle - Free
- Rides within a 10-mile radius - $5 round trip
- Rides between 10 & 30 miles - $20 round trip
- Boston medical rides - $30 round trip plus any parking fees
Other Programs:
- Lyft Discount:
Discount of up to $10 for four one-way rides per person, per month within 55 miles of Carlisle Town Hall. For Carlisle resident ages 50+, or age 18+ with a disability. An active Lyft account is necessary to participate.
- Weekly Shopping trips to Market Basket in Westford are provided on Fridays at 9 am. Limited space is available in the van. Call the COAHS Transportation line at (978) 371-6690 by noon on Wednesday of each week to attend. Please bring your own reusable shopping bags.
Pre-registration Required: Yes
Advance Notice: Call Council on Aging & Humans Services (COAHS) in advance
More Information: Kathleen Bond: 978-371-6690 | kbond@carlislema.gov | Carlisle COAHS Transportation Website
Concord
Council on Aging Van About Town
Qualifications for Rides: Seniors age 60+. Van is wheelchair accessible.
Service Area: Door-to-door transportation within Concord to doctor appointments, errands, events at CoA, etc. Special weekly trips to grocery stores outside Concord.
Pre-registration Required: Yes
Advance Notice: Service is first come, first served. Recommend making appointments as early as possible; rides can be booked months ahead.
More Information: Council on Aging Phone: 978-318-3020 | Concord Transportation Website
Other transportation options in Concord include MBTA Commuter Rail, Yankee Line Commuter Bus Service into Boston and The Ride and Ride Flex
More Information: https://concordma.gov/3158/Transit. Phone 978.318.3290 or email Planning Division ehughes@concordma.gov
The RIDE and The RIDE Flex: An MBTA On-Demand Service
The RIDE is the MBTA’s paratransit service for people who are unable to use the subway, bus, or trolley all or some of the time due to temporary or permanent disability. Eligible RIDE customers can take Flex trips with MBTA partners Uber and Lyft. Features of this new pilot program include:
- Same-day bookings with a smartphone app or over the phone
- Trip prices as low as $3
- Wheelchair-accessible vehicles
- TRAC-scheduled trips from your Flex provider of choice, which may help avoid unexpected delays
- Curb-to-curb service (door-to-door service may not be available)*
More Information: https://www.mbta.com/accessibility/the-ride and https://www.mbta.com/accessibility/the-ride/the-ride-flex
Hudson
Hudson Senior Center Bus
Qualifications for Rides: All Hudson residents age 55 and over on scheduled shopping trips, to medical appointments, and to the Senior Center. Wheelchair accessible.
Cost: No cost to use service.
Service Area: Medical transport travel is only within Hudson, Marlboro or to Southboro Medical Group.
Pre-registration Required: Yes
Advance Notice: Call 24 hours in advance to schedule. Riders requiring the wheelchair lift must call two days in advance.
More Information: Council on Aging Phone: 978-568-9638 | Hudson Senior Bus & Transportation and Hudson Senior Center Bus Policy [Opens as a PDF]
Email: Janice Long, COA Director jlong@townofhudson.org or (978) 568-9638 ext 470
MetroWest Regional Transit Authority — Route 15
Qualifications for Rides: Serves all ages
Service Area: Fixed route bus serving stops in Marlborough, Hudson Senior Center, Highland Commons on Rt. 62 (Market Basket and other stores), downtown Hudson, Stop and Shop, and Walmart. Operates Monday-Friday.
Pre-registration Required: No. Wait for the MWRTA bus ten minutes in advance of scheduled time. The MWRTA uses the flag down system, which allows buses to stop anywhere along their routes to pick up passengers, where it is safe to do so. Passengers can hail MWRTA buses by waving.
Advance Notice: None
More Information: 508-935-2222 | MetroWest Regional Transit Authority Route 15 and mwrta.com
VetRides
Provides transportation to veterans and their caregivers who live in Hudson, Stow or Maynard to medical appointments in both the local and Boston area free of charge. To learn more or to request a ride, please contact Brian Stearns, Hudson veterans services officer at 978-568-9635 or bstearns@townofhudson.org.
Littleton
Littleton EHS/COA MART Van
Qualifications for Rides: Residents of Acton, Littleton and Maynard who are over 60 years old or those with a qualified disability
Service Area: Van service within Littleton and for medical and shopping outside Littleton in Harvard, Ayer, Groton, Westford, Acton and Concord
Pre-registration Required: Yes
Advance Notice: 48 hours
More Information: Council on Aging: 978-844-6809 | Littleton Transportation Website
Email: Elder and Human Service Director Liz Tretiak ltretiak@littletonma.org
Maynard
Maynard Council on Aging Van
Qualifications for Rides: Age 60+ and individuals with disabilities of any age
Service Area: Maynard, Concord, Stow Shopping Plaza, Acton (medical appointments only)
Pre-registration Required: Yes
Advance Notice: 48 hours
More Information: Council on Aging: 978-897-1009 | Maynard Council on Aging Van
Email: COA Director Amy Loveless aloveless@townofmaynard.net
Maynard Commuter Shuttle to South Acton Train Station
Qualifications for Rides: Residents of Maynard and Acton and employees of companies along the shuttle route
Service Area: Shuttle runs on a fixed schedule between downtown Maynard (several fixed stops) and the South Acton Commuter Rail station.
Pre-registration Required: Yes, via pass card purchase. Shuttle drivers do not take cash; passes must be purchased in advance.
Advance Notice: None
More Information: Maynard Commuter Shuttle | Email: aloveless@townofmaynard.net
The Shuttle is temporarily suspended until further notice.
VetRides
Provides transportation to veterans and their caregivers who live in Hudson, Stow or Maynard to medical appointments in both the local and Boston area free of charge. To learn more or to request a ride, please contact Brian Stearns, Hudson veterans services officer at 978-568-9635 or bstearns@townofhudson.org.
Stow
Stow COA Van Service
Qualifications for Rides: Ages 60+ and those with qualified disabilities
Service Area: Door-to-door van service to destinations in Acton, Bolton, Boxboro, Harvard, Hudson, and Maynard and to medical destinations in Concord, Marlborough and Sudbury. Medical, employment, and caregiver-related rides have priority. Other rides are provided based on availability. Wheelchair accessible van available with advance notice.
Pre-registration Required: No
Advance Notice: 24 hours minimum.
More Information: Stow Council on Aging: 978-897-1880 | Stow Transportation Website | COA Director Alyson Toole
GO! Stow No-Cost Taxi Rides Program
Qualifications for Rides: Stow residents meeting at least one of the following requirements: age 50+, individual with a disability, financial need, active-duty military/veteran, essential worker. Riders are qualified via a town social worker.
Service Area: All rides must begin or end in Stow.
Pre-registration Required: Yes. Complete application through this online form.
Advance Notice: 24 hours for taxi and 48 hours for wheelchair-accessible vehicle. To request a ride, follow the instructions on our website or contact Stow Council on Aging at 978-897-1880.
More Information: 978-897-1880 | GO Stow No-Cost Taxi Rides Program website | COA Director Alyson Toole
VetRides
Provides transportation to veterans and their caregivers who live in Hudson, Stow or Maynard to medical appointments in both the local and Boston area free of charge. To learn more or to request a ride, please contact Brian Stearns, Hudson veterans services officer at 978-568-9635 or bstearns@townofhudson.org.
Sudbury
Sudbury currently offers 4 types of transportation services:
- The Sudbury Connection Van
Provides door to door rides for Sudbury resident 60+ years of age and 18+ years of age with a disability. Service is available weekdays; earliest pick up is 8:45 AM; latest pick up is 3:30 PM. Wheelchair accessible.
Qualifications for Rides: Sudbury resident 60+ years of age and 18+ years of age with a disability.
Service Area: All of Sudbury and grocery stores in Wayland and Maynard; Medical/dental appointments in Concord, Marlborough, Wayland, Framingham, and Maynard.
Pre-registration Required: Yes. Applications at Sudbury Senior Center 978 639-3268 or
senior@sudbury.ma.us
Advance Notice: At least 2 business days in advance; up to 2 weeks ahead. To reserve a ride, call MWRTA Reservation Center • (508) 820-4650 • Mon.-Fri., 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM •
Other notes: To set up fare account call MWRTA, (508) 820-4650. Mail check or use debit/credit card on phone. Rides are first come-first served, except that medical appointments and employment are prioritized and may bump other arranged rides.
More information: see Sudbury Transportation Options updated November 2023:
https://cdn.sudbury.ma.us/wp-content/uploads/sites/391/2023/04/Sudbury-Transportation-Options-Chart.pdf?version=e0bf2fa00e1c775c21abf362595f9853
- MWRTA Dial-a-Ride
Provides door to door rides for Sudbury resident 60+ years of age and 18+ years of age with a disability. Service provided Tuesdays and Thursdays . 4:00 to 7:00 PM; last pickup 6:30 PM. Wheelchair accessible.
Qualifications for Rides: Sudbury resident 60+ years of age and 18+ years of age with a disability.
Service Area: Sudbury, Marlborough, Wayland, Framingham, and Maynard for Medical/dental appointments; Grocery shopping. Pharmacy & errands; Errands and Work; Social/community events.
Pre-registration Required: Yes. Applications at Sudbury Senior Center 978 639-3268 or
senior@sudbury.ma.us
Advance Notice: At least 2 business days in advance; up to 2 weeks ahead. To reserve a ride, call MWRTA Reservation Center • (508) 820-4650 • Mon.-Fri., 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM •
Other notes: To set up fare account call MWRTA, (508) 820-4650. Mail check or use debit/credit card on phone. Rides are first come-first served, except that medical appointments and employment are prioritized and may bump other arranged rides.
More information: see Sudbury Transportation Options updated November 2023:
https://cdn.sudbury.ma.us/wp-content/uploads/sites/391/2023/04/Sudbury-Transportation-Options-Chart.pdf?version=e0bf2fa00e1c775c21abf362595f9853
3) GoSudbury! Taxi Medical Rides Program
Qualifications for Rides:
- A Sudbury resident or
- A non-Sudbury resident with a child enrolled in Sudbury Public Schools or Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School or
- A person who works in Sudbury
And, you also meet one of the following criteria:
- 60 years of age or older
- 18 years of age or older with a disability that limits driving
- Active duty military, Reserves, National Guard, or veteran of the armed forces
- 18 years of age or older with financial need
Pre-registration Required: Yes. To apply
. complete the online application at the link below, or contact Sudbury Senior Center for a paper copy at 987-639-3268 or
senior@sudbury.ma.us.
GoSudbury Taxi Application: https://forms.gle/FnQzYotpDRMzyFoK8
4) GoSudbury! Uber Rides Program
Qualifications for Rides:
- A Sudbury resident or
- A non-Sudbury resident with a child enrolled in Sudbury Public Schools or Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School or
- A person who works in Sudbury
And, you also meet one of the following criteria:
- 60 years of age or older
- 18 years of age or older with a disability that limits driving
- Active duty military, Reserves, National Guard, or veteran of the armed forces
- 18 years of age or older with financial need
Pre-registration Required: Yes. To apply, complete the online application at the link below, or contact Sudbury Senior Center for a paper copy at 987-639-3268 or senior@sudbury.ma.us.
GoSudbury Uber Application: https://forms.gle/hxV2TjnZuAAeka1R9
Westford
Westford Council on Aging Transportation Services
Qualifications for Rides: Residents of Westford Age 55+ and those with a qualified disability
Service Area: Groton, Ayer, Littleton, Westford, Chelmsford, Lowell, Carlisle, Acton, Concord. Medical appointments are a priority.
Pre-registration Required:Yes, call Westford Council on Aging for more information
Advance Notice: 48-hour notice
More Information: Westford Council on Aging: 978-399-2322 | Westford Transportation Website
Email: Transportation Dispatcher Robert Rafferty rrafferty@westfordma.gov
Transportation for Veterans
The Cameron Center Transportation Department can get residents of Westford who are Veterans to the Lowell VA facility located at 130 Marshall Rd, Lowell, MA where Veterans have access to the VA New England Shuttle that travels between VA facilities.
For more information and a schedule for the shuttle: https://www.va.gov/bedford-health-care/programs/va-new-england-shuttle-schedule/
Veteran’s Transportation Guide: https://www.westfordma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/1107/Transportation-Resources-for-Veterans-with-VA-Medical-Appointments-PDF?bidId=
Veterans can also arrange transportation to VA facilities via the following link: https://www.vetride.va.gov/app/home
Shuttle Service to Boston Medical Facilities
The Cameron Senior Center’s Transportation Department can transport you to the Littleton/495 Commuter Rail Station, where you can access services provided by the Montachusett Regional Transit Authority (MART). MART offers shuttle service from Littleton/495 Commuter Rail Station to all major medical centers in Boston including the Veterans Administration (VA)
More information: https://www.mrta.us/schedule-map/boston-shuttle/
Shuttle Schedule:
Leaves Littleton/495 Commuter Rail Station (RT2/495) 8:15am
Estimated return time 5:30pm
Call MART at 800-922-5636 to schedule a return ride after arriving at your destination in Boston.
Fees:
Adults and Children: $12
Seniors: $10
Veterans: Free
Note: The shuttle service stops at Emerson Hospital both going and coming from Boston. See https://www.mrta.us/schedule-map/boston-shuttle/
