Coordinated Public Transit-Human Services Transportation Plan for the Boston Region Metropolitan Planning Organization
Project Manager
Alicia Wilson
Project Principal
Pam Wolfe
GIS
Mary McShane
Paul Reim
Cover Design
Jane Gillis
The preparation of this document was supported
by the Federal Highway Administration through
MassDOT 3C PL contract # 84053 and Federal Transit Administration Section 5303 through MassDOT contract #78923.
Central Transportation Planning Staff
Directed by the Boston Region Metropolitan
Planning Organization. The MPO is composed of
state and regional agencies and authorities, and
local governments.
TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE
2.1 Eligible Projects and Recipients
2.2 MPO projects funded under the new freedom program
TABLE 1 New Freedom Projects in the Boston Region MPO: 2008-2013
TABLE 3 Boston Region MPO Population with Disabilities by Age Group
Figure 1 Population Age 65 or Older by Municipality
Figure 2 Percentage of Population Age 65 and Older by Municipality
Figure 3 Number of Residents with Disabilities by Municipalities
Figure 4 Percentage of Community Residents with Disabilities
4.1 The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA)
4.2 Cape Ann Transportation Authority
4.3 Greater Attleboro Taunton Regional Transit Authority (GATRA)
4.4 MetroWest Regional Transit Authority
4.5 Montachusett Regional Transit Authority (MART)
4.6 Brockton Area Transit (BAT)
4.7 Lowell Regional Transit Authority (LRTA)
4.8 Boston Region MPO Clean Air and Mobility Program Services
4.9 Massachusetts Port Authority (MassPort) Transit Services
4.11 Transportation Management Association (TMA) Shuttles
4.12 University-Contracted Shuttle (Public Service)
4.13 Private Carrier Routes (stopping within Massachusetts)
4.14 Boston Harbor Cruises Ferry Service
4.15 Councils on Aging and Social Service Organizations
5.2 Regional Coordinating Councils
Federal surface transportation funding legislation, the Safe Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act (SAFETEA-LU) was signed into law on August 10, 2005. This legislation established the requirement for a locally developed, Coordinated Public Transit–Human Services Transportation Plan (Coordinated Plan) to obtain funding for projects from Federal Transit Administration human-services transportation programs.
These programs included: 1) Elderly Individuals and Individuals with Disabilities (Section 5310); 2) Job Access and Reverse Commute (JARC, Section 5316); and 3) New Freedom (Section 5317). (The goal of the New Freedom grant program was to reduce barriers to transportation services and expand the transportation mobility options available to people with disabilities beyond the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990).
The Coordinated Plan was expected to improve transportation services for elderly individuals, people with disabilities, people with low incomes, and to reverse commuters by maximizing collective coverage, minimizing duplication of services, and facilitating the most cost-effective transportation possible with available resources. The Boston Region Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) completed its Coordinated Plan in 2008 and updated it in 2010.
As a sub-recipient of federal funds, the MPO has supported selection of projects for Sections 5316 and 5317 funding by soliciting projects, evaluating proposals, and recommending projects to the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT)—the direct recipient of funds—for funding. MassDOT has made the final funding decisions for these two programs; and has solicited projects for 5310 funding on a statewide basis and evaluated projects’ consistency with the relevant MPO’s Coordinated Plan.
Congress signed new surface transportation funding legislation, Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century (MAP-21), on July 6, 2012. This was a two-year authorization due to end on September 30, 2014, but provisions and funding have been extended until May 31, 2015. This legislation eliminated JARC as a stand-alone program, eliminated New Freedom as a stand-alone program, and incorporated New Freedom activities into the 5310 program. On June 6, 2014, the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) issued the FTA C 9070.1G Circular, Guidance and Application Instructions: Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities Program Guidance and Application Instructions. According to the circular introduction, it is a reissue of guidance under 49 U.S.C. 5310 (SAFETEA-LU) that incorporates provisions of MAP-21. A Coordinated Plan is still required for Section 5310 funding.
This updated Coordinated Plan reflects the realities of current legislation. It documents the region’s human service transportation needs and provides ideas for improving transportation services. It also serves as a resource that cites the types of projects initiated, and which projects have been effective.
2 Section 5310: Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals Under Map-21
This program is intended to enhance mobility for seniors and persons with disabilities by providing funds for programs to serve the special needs of transit-dependent populations beyond traditional public transportation services and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) complementary paratransit services. Section 5310 funds will pay for as much as 50 percent of operating costs and 80 percent of capital costs. Mobility management and purchase of service are considered capital costs.
The 5310 program was established in 1975 as a discretionary capital assistance program for private non-profit organizations. Under MAP-21, it has evolved to include capital and operating assistance. Traditional Section 5310 projects allow for capital costs associated with buying accessible vehicles, equipment, and transportation services among others. Recipients for “traditional” Section 5310 projects include:
“Other” eligible projects include capital and operating costs and New-Freedom-type projects such as mobility management and travel training. Eligible sub-recipients for “other” Section 5310 projects include:
During the six-year period in which the MPO has evaluated project proposals for New Freedom projects and recommended proposals to MassDOT for funding, 15 entities in the MPO received approximately $5.75 million for 22 projects (ongoing projects funded in different solicitations for additional years’ funding for the same project are counted as one project). Table 1 lists the number of projects by type of service and primary service goals.
TABLE 1
New Freedom Projects in the Boston Region MPO: 2008-2013
Project |
Expanded Geographic Coverage |
Extended Hours/ Days of Service |
Improved System Capacity |
Improved Access/ Connections |
Improved Customer Knowledge |
Planning for Services |
Total |
Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Trip Based |
6 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
10 |
45% |
Information Based |
0 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
5 |
1 |
8 |
36 |
Capital Investments |
1 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
1 |
0 |
4 |
18 |
Total |
7 |
1 |
1 |
6 |
6 |
1 |
22 |
100% |
Pct. of Total |
32% |
5% |
5% |
27% |
27% |
5% |
100% |
Source: CTPS.
The majority of funded projects are either trip based (45%) or information based (36%). Less than 20% (18%) are capital investments (purchasing vehicles and equipment). Approximately one-third (32%) of the projects were intended to expand geographic coverage; another 27% were intended to improve customer knowledge. Approximately one-quarter (27%) of the projects had the goal of improving access and connections.
Table 2 presents sub-categories of project types. The sub-categories were taken from a national evaluation of JARC and New Freedom projects. Not all New Freedom projects in the MPO fit neatly into specific project types. Some projects are a combination of types but are listed under one project type.
TABLE 2
New Freedom Projects by Project Type: 2008–2013
Project Type |
Number of Projects |
Pct. Total Projects |
---|---|---|
Trip-Based Services |
10 |
45% |
Shuttle/Feeder Service |
2 |
9% |
Expanded Paratransit Service |
1 |
5% |
Same-Day Paratransit Service |
1 |
5% |
Door-to-Door Service |
4 |
18% |
User-Side Vouchers |
2 |
9% |
Information-Based Services |
8 |
36% |
Mobility Manager |
1 |
5% |
Travel Training |
1 |
5% |
Internet Based Information |
2 |
9% |
Mobility Management (combination of services) 1 |
4 |
18% |
Capital Investment |
4 |
18% |
Vehicles |
3 |
14% |
ITS-related Hardware/Software Improvements |
1 |
5% |
Total |
22 |
100.0% |
1Includes Travel Training, One-Call Centers, and trip planning.
ITS = Information Technology Services.
Source: CTPS.
Varied projects were funded under the New Freedom program. Several have had long-lasting effects and have become models for other agencies and programs. Among these projects are:
A list of funded New Freedom projects in the MPO is included in Appendix A.
The MPO’s original Coordinated Plan and update used 2000 US Census data. New Census data has become available. The following information uses the 2010 US Census and 2006–2010 and 2008–2012 American Community Survey (ACS) data.
There are various thresholds for who is considered a senior depending on program types and activities. The American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) offers cards to those who are 50 years of age. Some restaurant senior discounts start at 55. Some retail stores offer discounts to those who are at least 60 years of age. MBTA senior identification cards are available to those who are at least 65 years old. Various pieces of federal legislation apply the senior determination to the age at which pensions, social security or medical benefits for seniors become available. Traditionally, people in the United States have been eligible to retire with full Social Security benefits at age 65. (The age threshold for full benefits has increased slightly for those born after 1942.) Medicare also begins at age 65. The Section 5310 Circular defines a senior as an individual who is 65 years of age or older.
Older adults are not confined to particular communities in the MPO. They are located throughout the region. The 2010 US Census indicates that 13.4% of the region’s population is 65 years of age or older. Representation in the population ranges from a low of 7.9% in Hopkinton to a high of 23% in Rockport. Four communities’, Rockport, Concord, Nahant, and Peabody, senior population is more than 20% of the total population. Figures 1 and 2 show numbers and percentages, respectively, of seniors by MPO community.
Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) status quo population projections indicate that by 2030, the senior population will account for 16% of the total population and will have increased by 28% since 2010.
According to the ACS, the un-institutionalized civilian population with disabilities represents approximately 10% of the region’s population. As with seniors, persons with disabilities are not isolated in any particular part of the region (see Figures 3 and 4). However, clusters representing more than 12.5% of the population occur in 10 communities to the North and South. The Northern communities include: Everett, Lynn, Peabody, Revere, Salem, and Winthrop. Communities to the south include: Holbrook, Randolph, and Rockland. Municipal percentages range from a low of 2.5% in Sherborn to a high of 14.6% in Revere.
Table 3 indicates that the percentage of population with disabilities by age group does not correspond with the representation of that age group in the general population. For example, 18-34 year olds account for 26% of the general population, but only 11% of the population with disabilities. Persons who are 75 years old or older represent 6% of the general population and 30% of the population with disabilities. Forty-four percent of the population with disabilities is age 65 or older.
TABLE 3
Boston Region MPO Population1 with Disabilities by Age Group
Age |
Total Population |
Population with Disabilities |
Percent Population |
Percent Population with Disabilities |
---|---|---|---|---|
Younger than 5 Yrs. |
177,066 |
1,127 |
5.6% |
0.4% |
5-17 Years |
479,067 |
23,130 |
15.3 |
7.5 |
18-34 Years |
805,430 |
32,819 |
25.7 |
10.6 |
35-64 Years |
1,266,109 |
116,556 |
40.4 |
37.6 |
65-74 Years |
211,671 |
44,511 |
6.8 |
14.4 |
75+ Years |
196,459 |
91,778 |
6.3 |
29.6 |
Total |
3,135,802 |
309,921 |
100.0% |
100.0% |
1Un-institutionalized population.
Source: 2008-2012 American Community Survey Summary File.
Analysis shows that approximately half (51%) of the population with disabilities who live in households meet the MPO’s low-income threshold. Less than half (44%) of seniors in households meet the low-income threshold.
Figure 1
Population Age 65 or Older by Municipality
Figure 2
Percentage of Population Age 65 and Older by Municipality
Figure 3
Number of Residents with Disabilities by Municipalities
Figure 4
Percentage of Community Residents with Disabilities
The Boston Region MPO area is served by a number of different transportation service providers, including the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA); several smaller regional transit authorities (RTAs); local transportation management associations; municipal, and nonprofit providers that offer a broad range of services. Several municipalities in the Boston Region MPO area have no direct affiliation with regional transit authorities (RTAs) and have no local MBTA or RTA bus or van service. These communities include: Hamilton, Hanover, Manchester, Milford, Millis, North Reading, and Norwell.
The MPO developed, for the 101 municipalities in the region, a database with services provided to seniors and people with disabilities. The database was updated during the summer of 2014 and will be posted on the MPO website. The original database has been posted at www.bostonmpo.org/geoserver/www/apps/tseApp/index.html.
Information in this section was compiled from multiple sources, including MBTA and Boston Region MPO documents and various websites (such as RTAs, transportation management areas, and social service agencies).
4.1 The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA)
The MBTA is the primary transit provider in the Boston region. It directly operates or hires contractors to operate heavy rail, light rail, bus rapid transit, local/express bus, trackless trolley, commuter rail, commuter boat, and paratransit service. The MBTA fixed-route system is predominantly a hub-and-spoke network that serves 175 municipalities. The MBTA’s commuter rail service extends beyond the Boston Region MPO area. MBTA local bus service extends from Boston to just beyond Route 128; heavy rail, light rail, and bus rapid transit service is mostly limited to municipalities within Route 128. Commuter boat services link two locations in Boston and extend to two municipalities on the South Shore.
Transit
The MBTA system serves 140 stations located on six transit lines: Red Line, Mattapan High Speed Line, Orange Line, Blue Line, Green Line, and Silver Line.
- Red Line—A heavy rail line, is the longest and most heavily utilized in the system. It is 21 miles long and has 22 stations along its two branches: one branch between Alewife Station, in North Cambridge, and Ashmont Station in Dorchester, and the other between Alewife Station and Braintree Station, in Braintree. Twenty-one of the stations are accessible to people with disabilities. The Red Line directly serves Cambridge, Somerville, Boston, Quincy, and Braintree.
- Mattapan High Speed Line—A light rail line, it connects with the Red Line and operates for 2.7 miles between Ashmont and Mattapan stations, which are both located in the Dorchester neighborhood of Boston; but the line goes through a portion of the town of Milton as well. The Mattapan High Speed Line has eight stations, seven of which are accessible.
- Orange Line—An 11-mile-long heavy rail line that operates between Oak Grove, on the Malden/Melrose line, and the Forest Hills section of Boston. All of its 20 stations are accessible. It serves the municipalities of Malden, Medford, and Boston.
- Blue Line—A six-mile-long heavy rail line. It operates between Wonderland Station, in Revere, and Bowdoin Station, which is located near Government Center, in downtown Boston. The Blue Line serves 12 stations, 10 of which are accessible. As part of the Blue Line Modernization Program, station upgrades and improvements are under way at Government Center Station. Government Center will reopen in 2016 as a more accessible station.
- Green Line—A 23-mile light rail line that provides service with four branches in Cambridge, Boston, Brookline, and Newton. The low-floor cars operating on the Green Line are designed to be accessible to elderly individuals and persons with disabilities. Of its 66 stops and stations, 31 currently have accessible boarding features. Construction is beginning for the Green Line Extension, which will extend the Green Line from a new Lechmere location to Union Square in Somerville and College Avenue in Medford. The first three stations are expected to open by 2017, with 24 new Green Line cars expected to be delivered by 2019 to assist with the two new branches.
- Silver Line —Currently provides bus rapid transit service on two segments: 1) the 2.3-mile Washington Street line, with 14 stations, which operates between Dudley Square, in Roxbury, and downtown Boston; and 2) the 6.5-mile Waterfront line, with 18 stops, which operates between South Station and the waterfront area. The Washington Street line has two branches, one to Temple Place at Downtown Crossing, and one to South Station, where it meets the Waterfront line. The Waterfront line has two branches, one between South Station and Logan International Airport and the Boston Marine Industrial Park branch located in South Boston. With the MBTA’s Silver Line Gateway Expansion project, four new Silver Line stations will be created at Eastern Avenue, Chelsea’s Box District, Downtown Chelsea, and the Mystic Mall, in addition to new extended service to East Boston and Chelsea, all by late 2015. The Silver Line also offers a free service from Logan Airport to South Station, including a free transfer to the Red Line.
Bus/ Trackless Trolley
The MBTA operates more than 170 bus routes and four electric trackless trolley routes serving 44 municipalities. All but 10 of these routes serve a rapid transit (light or heavy rail) station, but those 10 routes provide service to commuter rail stations. In areas close to the urban core, buses provide crosstown service and feeder service to rapid transit stations. Buses operating outside the urban core provide local service, feeder service to rapid transit and some commuter rail branches, and express service to Boston.
Commuter Rail
The MBTA commuter rail network is composed of 12 radial lines, with 138 stations (103 of which are accessible), and 394 miles of track. It directly serves 81 municipalities in both Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Another station, Wachusett, is under construction on the Fitchburg line and is scheduled to open in 2015. Commuter rail service is provided at two downtown Boston terminals, North Station and South Station. The Massachusetts Turnpike is generally considered a dividing line between the northern and southern commuter rail routes. All routes operating north of the Turnpike (Rockport/Newburyport, Haverhill, Lowell, and Fitchburg lines) operate to and from North Station; and all routes operating along the Turnpike or to the south of the Turnpike (Framingham/Worcester, Needham, Franklin, Providence/Stoughton, Fairmount, Middleborough/Lakeville, Kingston/Plymouth, and Greenbush lines) operate to and from South Station. Commuter rail service provides weekly inbound and outbound trips, with headways ranging from 25 to 40 minutes during the peak periods, to up to four hours during off-peak periods.
Commuter Boat
Commuter boat service is provided by the MBTA or by subsidized contractors on the following three routes:
- Hingham—Rowes Wharf
- Hull—Long Wharf, Logan Airport
- Long Wharf—Charlestown Navy Yard
Paratransit
The MBTA contracts with private carriers to provide THE RIDE service, a paratransit service for people who are not able to fully utilize fixed-route public transportation because of disabilities. THE RIDE is a shared-ride, advance-request service that operates sedans and lift-equipped vans in 60 municipalities, 365 days a year, generally from 5:00 AM to 1:00 AM. THE RIDE is administered by the MBTA’s Office for Transportation Access (OTA), in compliance with the ADA, in the following communities (an asterisk denotes partial coverage): Abington*, Arlington, Avon*, Bedford, Belmont, Beverly, Billerica*, Boston, Braintree, Brockton*, Brookline, Burlington, Cambridge, Canton, Chelsea, Cohasset, Concord, Danvers, Dedham, Dover, Everett, Hingham, Holbrook, Hull, Lexington, Lincoln, Lynn, Lynnfield, Malden, Marblehead, Medfield, Medford, Melrose, Middleton, Milton, Nahant, Needham, Newton, Norwood, Peabody, Quincy, Randolph, Reading, Revere, Salem, Sharon, Saugus, Somerville, Stoneham, Stoughton*,Swampscott, Topsfield, Wakefield, Walpole, Waltham, Watertown, Wellesley, Wenham, Weston, Westwood, Weymouth, Wilmington, Winchester, Winthrop, and Woburn.
Local wheelchair-accessible fixed-route minibus services are provided in Beverly, Bedford, Burlington, Dedham, Lexington, and the Mission Hill neighborhood of Boston with subsidies from the MBTA’s Suburban Transportation Program. All of these services connect with MBTA services; the services provided in Bedford and Lexington connect with Lowell Regional Transit.
In 2012, the most recent information available, the MBTA operated 98,053,683 annual vehicle revenue miles with 2,352 vehicles in maximum service.
4.2 Cape Ann Transportation Authority
The Cape Ann Transportation Authority (CATA) is a public agency that serves the city of Gloucester and the towns of Rockport, Essex, and Ipswich. CATA provides fixed-route and a door-to-door Dial-A-Ride service via a contract with the Cape Ann Transportation Operating Company. Dial-a-Ride service is available in Gloucester, Rockport, Essex, and Ipswich, and as organized trips outside of the Cape Ann region Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 2:30 PM. Persons older than 60 years of age and adults with disabilities are eligible to use the service. CATA’s fixed-route service includes six routes that operate in and between Gloucester and Rockport, Monday through Friday from 6:00 AM to 7:00 PM, and Saturday from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM. CATA also offers advance-request paratransit service in Gloucester and Rockport only for those who are unable to use fixed-route transportation. The service runs during fixed-route hours. In 2012, CATA operated 481,559 annual vehicle-revenue-miles, with 22 vehicles operating in maximum service. CATA service operates entirely within the Boston Region MPO area.
4.3 Greater Attleboro Taunton Regional Transit Authority (GATRA)
GATRA provides public transportation services to 28 member communities; the 11 communities in the Boston Region MPO area are: Bellingham, Duxbury, Foxborough, Franklin, Hanover, Marshfield, Medway, Norfolk, Pembroke,Scituate, and Wrentham. GATRA also leases vehicles to two councils on aging and leases 16 intercity coaches to three private operators. GATRA services include fixed-route bus service, paratransit service for elderly individuals and people with disabilities, and Medicaid and human-services transportation services. In Franklin, Foxborough, Norfolk, and Wrentham, GATRA also provides Dial-a-Ride and long-distance medical transportation for seniors and people with disabilities to Boston and other destinations (such as Burlington, Framingham, Newton, and Worcester) via the Miles for Health program, as well as service to Boston Hospitals and the greater South Shore Hospital area via the Boston Hospital Bus. In 2012, GATRA operated 3,197,594 annual vehicle-revenue-miles with 112 vehicles operating in maximum service. GATRA also provides bus service to several MBTA stations, including commuter rail stations in Franklin and Norfolk, which are located within the Boston Region MPO area.
GATRA started providing wheelchair-accessible fixed-route service and ADA-compliant van service in Franklin on March 10, 2008 with a grant from the Boston Region MPO’s Suburban Mobility Program (later known as the Clean Air and Mobility Program). Transit service GATRA operates in Franklin and Bellingham began with a JARC grant (2008) to provide additional transit service to low-income workers. The commuter rail shuttle in Pembroke was started in 2009 with JARC and New Freedom grants to operate demand-responsive service in Pembroke and a commuter rail shuttle service.
4.4 MetroWest Regional Transit Authority
The MetroWest Regional Transit Authority (MWRTA) was formed in 2006. MWRTA currently provides fixed-route bus service on twelve routes (from 6:00 AM until 9:00 PM) in and between the municipalities of Ashland, Dover, Framingham, Holliston, Hopkinton, Hudson, Marlborough, Natick, Sherborn, Southborough, Sudbury, Wayland, Wellesley, and Weston. MWRTA also provides ADA-compliant transit service to these areas and operates paratransit service in Framingham and Natick that is equivalent to THE RIDE service.
The Green Line shuttle (Route 1) began operating in March 2009. The Suburban Mobility Program funded the first year of service with capital support for purchasing vehicles through a JARC grant awarded in 2008. This service also received JARC grants in subsequent years.
Service in Wellesley, (Route 8) began operating in 2013. It provides service between many residential and commercial destinations in Wellesley between the Natick Mall and the Woodland Green Line Station. Route 8 provides commuter service between 6:20–8:30 AM and 5:11–7:30 PM, with a local circular route in between. A JARC grant for this service was awarded in 2013.
Route 7 serves Framingham, Southborough and Marlborough, with service coverage along Route 9, and Route 85. Major stops include Marlborough City Hall, Staples Drive, Framingham State University and Downtown Framingham. Saturday service is also available. A JARC grant for this service was awarded in 2010.
In 2012, MWRTA operated 1,548,692 vehicle-revenue-miles with 57 vehicles operating at times of maximum service.
4.5 Montachusett Regional Transit Authority (MART)
MART provides council-on-aging transportation service for Bolton, Boxborough, and Littleton residents who are elderly or have disabilities. It also provides transportation brokerage services for the Department of Public Health Early Intervention Program, Department of Developmental Services, Special Education Transportation Services, and MassHealth within the Boston metropolitan region.
4.6 Brockton Area Transit (BAT)
BAT provides fixed-route bus service between Brockton and the MBTA’s Ashmont Station, with stops in Randolph and Milton.
4.7 Lowell regional transit authority (lrta)
LRTA provides fixed route service between downtown Lowell and the Wilmington commuter rail station; between downtown Lowell and the Lahey Clinic in Burlington with stops at Mitre Corporation and Sun Micro Systems in Bedford and the Burlington Mall; and between downtown Lowell and Chestnut Street in Burlington connecting with MBTA Bus Route 352. LRTA also operates Council on Aging service for Acton, Carlisle, and Maynard.
4.8 Boston Region MPO Clean Air and Mobility Program Services
In federal fiscal year 2002, the MPO implemented its Suburban Mobility Program to provide funding for public transit services in suburban areas that are underserved by existing transit service. This program later evolved to become the Clean Air and Mobility Program. These programs have allocated Congestion Mitigation Air Quality (CMAQ) funding for starting up new, locally developed and supported transit services that improve air quality and reduce congestion. CMAQ funding, through the Boston Region MPO, is limited to three years, after which a project must be self-sustaining.
Services originally funded through this program and now operating on their own include:
- Local Connection—Demand-responsive services in Marlborough and Southborough (programmed in 2005); service now provided by MWRTA in these communities
- Neponset Valley RailLink Shuttles—Scheduled shuttle services between Quincy Center Red Line station, Route 128 commuter rail station, Ashmont Red Line station, and employment destinations in Canton (programmed in 2006) (Details provided in “Transportation Management Association (TMA) Shuttles” section of this plan.)
- Ipswich Essex Explorer Seasonal Shuttle—Operates between Ipswich commuter rail station, Ipswich beach, and town destinations (programmed in 2005)
- Greater Attleboro Taunton Regional Transit Authority—Fixed-route and ADA van services in Franklin (programmed in 2007)
- North Shore Transportation Management Association in Salem—Established as a transportation management area in 2008 (programmed in 2007)
- MetroWest Green Line Shuttle—Operates between Natick, Framingham, and Woodland Station on MBTA Green Line (programmed in 2008–2009)
- Greater Attleboro Taunton Regional Transit Authority—Fixed-route and ADA services from Kingston to Marshfield and Duxbury (programmed in 2008)
- MetroWest Regional Transit Authority—Saturday service between Framingham and Marlborough (programmed in 2009)
- Acton Demand-Responsive/ Remote Parking Shuttle (programmed in 2009)
The MPO continues to support the Clean Air and Mobility Program in its Long-Range Transportation Plan, but, because of funding constraints in the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP), has not conducted a solicitation or programmed funds since FFY 2012.
4.9 Massachusetts Port Authority (MassPort) Transit Services
- Logan TMA Sunrise Shuttle—Shuttle service between various East Boston locations and Logan airport between 3:00 AM and 5:30 AM daily (initiated with JARC grant in 2010)
- Logan Express Shuttle Bus—Back Bay (from Hynes Convention Center and Copley T Station), Braintree (south of Boston), Framingham (west of Boston), Peabody and Woburn (north of Boston); full-service bus terminals/ secure parking available at all shuttle pick-up locations, except Back Bay (accessible via MBTA Green Line); through spring 2015, Framingham location under construction; temporary pick up in Natick
- Logan Shuttle—Complimentary shuttle bus between airline terminals at arrival levels, Airport Station (MBTA Blue Line), Water Transportation Terminal, and Economy Parking seven days/ week; all buses wheelchair-lift equipped
- MassPort Route 66 Shuttle Bus—Free shuttle service to and from the Logan Dock and all airport terminals; pick up water transfers
4.10 MassRIDES
MassRIDES, a MassDOT service, provides free statewide travel-options assistance to employers and other travelers. The program includes an active employer-based partnership program; statewide ridematching; vanpool formation and support program; extensive coordination with 16 regional transit authorities; a statewide, toll-free bilingual customer-service telephone line; and the Massachusetts Safe Routes to School program. MassRIDES promotes carpooling and vanpooling through a statewide ridematching database of more than 15,400 commuters who register for MassRIDES programs and services.
4.11 Transportation Management Association (TMA) Shuttles
These transit services, funded by TMAs, provide transportation for employees of the TMA membership and sometimes for members of the general public.
Route 128 Business Council
The 128 Business Council offers the following shuttle services:
- Alewife Shuttle for Waltham and Lexington—Connects Alewife Station, on MBTA Red Line, with member companies in the two communities
- Alewife Shuttle for Windsor Village—Connects Alewife Station, on MBTA Red Line, with Windsor Village Apartments in Waltham
- Bentley College CitiBus—Service to Bentley College ID holders on two routes: 1) campus shuttle with periodic service to Windsor Village, and 2) shuttle between the college, Waverly Square (Belmont), and Harvard Square
- The 128 Connection Shuttle—Private service; connects companies at three locations with Waltham center; also stops at: AstraZeneca R&D Boston (35 Gatehouse Drive), Bay Colony Corporate Center and its Tenants (950–1100 Winter Street), and 305 Second Avenue (intersection of Bear Hill and Fox Roads)
- Needham Shuttle—Connects Newton Highlands station (on MBTA Green Line) with member companies in Needham’s New England Business Center
- The Rev Bus—Connects Alewife station with member companies along Hartwell Avenue in Lexington
Neponset Valley TMA
The Neponset Valley TMA offers two shuttle services:
- Route 128 Station Link 1—Employee shuttle between 128 Station, Reebok complex, and Computershare complex
- Route 128 Station Link A—Employee shuttle between the Ashmont and Quincy Center Red Line stations, Reebok complex, and Computershare complex
Charles River TMA
- EZRide Shuttle—Service between Cambridgeport, Kendall Square, East Cambridge, and North Station; available to public
The Medical Academic and Scientific Community Organization Inc. (MASCO)
MASCO offers the following shuttle services:
- Fenway, Wentworth, Crosstown, and M6 (Park-and-Ride)—For employees who park in off-site MASCO-managed facilities
- Longwood Medical Area (LMA)—Harvard Medical School Shuttle (M2) connects LMA and Harvard University in Cambridge
- Ruggles Express—Service between Ruggles MBTA station and LMA; no charge to all employees, and students of MASCO member institutions
- JFK/UMass Shuttle—Service between the JFK/UMass MBTA station and the LMA at no charge to employees and students of MASCO’s member institutions.
- Landmark/ Longwood Shuttle—Service between Landmark Center and Harvard School of Public Health via Vanderbilt Hall, Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM–5:00 PM
- Shuttle All-Ride Program—Allows employees/ students of all LMA medical institutions to ride many of the shuttles servicing Longwood; but operated by institutions other than their own
TranSComm (serving the Boston University Medical Campus and Boston Medical Center)
TranSComm offers the following free shuttle services in the Albany Street neighborhood of Boston’s lower South End on Mondays through Fridays:
- Inner Campus Shuttle—Primarily for patients; from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM; continuous loop from Newton Pavilion
- Evening Transit ‘T’ Shuttle—Serves employees/ students only; boards at one central stop approximately every hour between 5:15 PM and 12:15 AM; travels on request to parking facilities, five MBTA stations, and South End neighborhood locations within one mile
- Boston VA Medical Center Shuttle—Employees/ students only; between VA Hospital in Jamaica Plain and Boston Medical Center; hourly between 9:30 AM and 5:00 PM
- HealthNet Shuttle—Primarily for patients; free; between Boston Medical Center and the following: Mattapan Community Health Center, Harvard Street Neighborhood Health Center, Greater Roslindale Medical and Dental Center, Whittier Street Health Center, South End Community Health Center, Codman Square Health Center, Dorchester House, East Boston Neighborhood Health Center, Uphams Corner Health Center, and South Boston Community Health Center
- The Boston University Shuttle (BUS)—Between Boston University’s Charles River and Medical Campuses
The following transit services are funded by individual hospitals for their employees and in some cases, patients and visitors:
- Lemuel Shattuck Hospital—Charter; regularly between Hyde Park Avenue side of Forest Hills MBTA station and the hospital; and between Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) parking lot on Morton Street and the hospital
- McLean Hospital—Shuttle between Waverly Square MBTA commuter rail station and McLean Hospital admissions building; available on weekdays, and upon request weekends/ holidays
- Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH)—Partners Inc. employees, patients, visitors:
- Between Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) and:
- Partners HealthCare (Prudential Center) and Brigham and Women’s Hospital
- North Station, One Constitution Road (Charlestown), and the Charlestown Navy Yard
- MGH Parking Lots
- Bunker Hill Health Center (Charlestown) and North End Health Center
- Chelsea Health Center
- East Boston Health Center and Winthrop Senior Center
- Everett Health Center
- Revere Health Center
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) campus
- Somerville and Sullivan Square MBTA
- MGH Main Campus, North Station, Charlestown Navy Yard
- Between main campus of Brigham and Woman’s Hospital and:
- 850 Boylston Street
- Faulkner Hospital
- MIT
- A crosstown route; stops at 221 Longwood Avenue
- Between Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, North Station, and Charlestown Navy Yard
- South Shore Hospital (Courtesy Coach)—For patients; to hospital, or program/ service directly affiliated with the hospital
4.12 University-Contracted Shuttle (Public Service)
University of Massachusetts, Boston (UMass Boston) offers frequent shuttle service to JFK/UMass Station (MBTA Red Line) and JFK Library and Museum.
4.13 Private Carrier Routes (stopping within Massachusetts)
- Yankee Line: Boston, Concord, Acton—One inbound express trip (AM) from Concord and Acton to Copley Square (Boston); one outbound express trip (PM) from Copley Square to Concord and Acton
- Peter Pan/Bonanza: Boston, Bourne/Falmouth, Woods Hole—Several express trips daily from South Station bus terminal and Logan Airport
- Peter Pan/Bonanza: Boston, Fall River, Newport—Several express trips daily from South Station bus terminal
- Peter Pan: Boston, Worcester, Springfield—Several regional express trips daily between South Station bus terminal and Springfield
- Peter Pan: Boston, Providence—Several express trips daily from Providence to the South Station bus terminal and Logan Airport
- Peter Pan: Boston, Framingham, Worcester—Daily service
- Bloom Bus—Express commuter bus service during weekday commuting hours between Boston, Easton, Raynham, Taunton, and West Bridgewater
- Plymouth & Brockton (P&B): Boston, Plymouth, Kingston—Express service from Boston to Rockland, Marshfield, Duxbury, Kingston, and Plymouth during weekday commuting hours; nine inbound trips and eight outbound trips/ day
- P&B: Boston, Hyannis—Express service seven days/ week all day; more frequent service during peak commuting hours; serves South Station, Park Square, and Logan Airport; stops in Rockland, Plymouth, Sagamore, Barnstable, and Hyannis
- P&B: Boston, Duxbury—Provides weekday express service; two inbound trips (AM) and two outbound trips (PM); serves Park Square and South Station in Boston, Rockland, Marshfield (three stops), and Duxbury
- Dattco: Boston, New Bedford—Express service; several trips daily between Boston and Fairhaven, New Bedford, and Taunton
- The Coach Company—Express bus service during weekday commuting hours between Boston and Boxford, Georgetown, Groveland, Haverhill, Newburyport, Plaistow, Peabody, and Topsfield
4.14 Boston Harbor Cruises Ferry Service
Boston Harbor Cruises operates seasonal (May-October) ferry service between Salem and Long Wharf in Boston and Lynn and Central Wharf in Boston. The company also operates year-round water taxi service between Logan Airport and the Boston Waterfront with many stops along the way.
4.15 Councils on Aging and Social Service Organizations
Most municipalities in the MPO region have councils on aging that own and operate shuttle service for elderly residents who live in the municipality that provides the service. In addition, there are several nonprofit social service organizations that operate transit service for their clients. The MPO has documented services available in each community. This data is located at www.bostonmpo.org/geoserver/www/apps/tseApp/index.html.
4.16 Private Nonprofits Organizations
- Busy Bee Transportation Inc. (Ashland, MA)—Service for seniors and those with disabilities
- Greater Lynn Senior Services Inc. (Lynn, MA)—Wide range of services (including transportation) for seniors and persons with disabilities
- Kit Clark Senior Services (Boston, MA)—Wide range of services for seniors
- North Shore Elder Services (Danvers, MA)—Connects seniors with rides through mobility management
- SCM Community Transportation Inc. (Somerville, MA)—Service for seniors and those with disabilities
- SeniorCare Inc. (Gloucester, MA)—Volunteer medical transportation program for seniors
- South Shore Elder Services Inc. (Braintree, MA)—Wide range of services for seniors
- Ticket to Ride (Cohasset, Hull, and Weymouth)—Transportation service for those with low incomes
4.17 Volunteer Driver Programs
- Mystic Valley Elder Services’ Trip Metro North (Everett, Malden, Medford, Melrose, North Reading, Reading, Stoneham and Wakefield)—Free, passenger-controlled transportation program for older adults and those with disabilities; individuals make driving arrangements with friends, neighbors, others; Mystic Valley Elder Services will send monthly check to reimburse driver for mileage
- ITN Greater Boston (Ashland, Brookline, Framingham, Marlboro, Natick, Needham, Newton, Southborough, Waltham, Watertown, Wellesley, and the Boston neighborhoods of Allston, Brighton, Fenway, Hyde Park, Jamaica Plain, Roslindale and West Roxbury)—Membership based pre-funded transportation service for seniors and those with visual impairments
- RSVP Rides for Veterans—Norfolk County Commissioners’ Office
The goals of this Coordinated Plan are to 1) inventory transportation resources; 2) document transportation needs of seniors and those with disabilities; and 3) improve transportation services for these groups—by identifying opportunities to pool resources to maximize the amount of service provided with those resources.
Demographic analysis shows that populations of elderly individuals and people with disabilities are dispersed throughout the MPO region. People in these groups are often less able than the rest of the population to use traditional transit services. The need for special services increases as more and more seniors are aging in place and their ability to drive, individual mobility, or other capability declines with age. The general public and supporting agencies helped to identify and prioritize the needs of elderly individuals and people with disabilities reported in this update of the Coordinated Plan. An added, and important, component of this update is information collected from three special forums and the ongoing work of the statewide Mobility Management Program’s Regional Coordinating Councils. Section 5.3 below discusses transportation needs that were identified through coordination and consultation.
In 2011, the governor of Massachusetts signed Executive Order 530 establishing a commission to reform community, social service, and paratransit transportation services to coordinate transportation resources more efficiently and effectively. The Commission published a final report, Community, Social Service, and Paratransit Transportation Commission Report, in 2012, with recommendations addressing the areas of coordination and efficiency.
Two of the report’s major recommendations were to create an advisory council at the state level, otherwise known as Statewide Coordinating Council on Community Transportation (SCCCT), and to form Regional Coordinating Councils (RCCs) to address community transportation and paratransit service gaps at the local level. The Massachusetts Department of Transportation’s (MassDOT) Rail and Transit Division has a mobility manager who is responsible for statewide mobility management. The mobility manager facilitates the work of the SCCCT and RCC formation and activity. RCCs are voluntary advisory bodies that provide the opportunity for a variety of local stakeholders to3:
Thirteen RCCs have been established to date. Five of these RCCs have coverage areas that include approximately half of all MPO communities. (Four additional RCCs in the MPO region are in initial formation stages.) Each RCC surveys constituents, identifies needs and gaps in transportation services, and develops priorities. RCCs are not all the same as they serve different areas and constituencies and are in different stages of development. However, they all have the same overarching task of improving transportation and transportation options for the elderly and persons with disabilities.
The general public, agencies, and private, non-profit organizations have had the opportunity to provide information for this updated plan through forums, meetings, surveys, and RCC activities throughout 2013 and 2014. The following section describes the various activities and information obtained from them.
The Boston Region MPO, in conjunction with MAPCEOHHS, and MassDOT’s Rail and Transit Division’s mobility manager, held a forum on Human Services and Equity in Transportation on January 14, 2014. The purpose of the forum was to bring together agencies and organizations working in the field of human services and community transportation to share information and experiences. More than 60 people, representing many agencies and organizations, attended.
The forum included a panel discussion and a breakout session, during which groups were asked to discuss the following topics and questions:
This forum brought together the MBTA general manager and members of her staff, AACT members, and representatives from paratransit service providers to discuss accessibility issues.
This forum’s panel discussion included the following topics (members of the general public were invited):
A survey soliciting the transportation concerns of minority and low-income communities, elders, persons with disabilities, and persons with limited English proficiency was distributed through the MPO’s Transportation Equity email list and is posted on the MPO’s website. A version of this survey also was handed out at forums.
Ten RCCs currently are active around the state; five of them encompass more than half of the communities in the MPO. These RCCs are in various stages of assessing and prioritizing needs. RCCs within the MPO and the methods they used to assess needs are described below. Unless otherwise noted, member communities are located entirely within the MPO.
Abington, Avon, E. Bridgewater, W. Bridgewater, Bridgewater, Brockton, Easton, Halifax, Rockland, Stoughton, Weymouth and Whitman
Surveyed stakeholders
Beverly, Danvers, Essex, Everett, Gloucester, Hamilton, Ipswich, Lynn, Lynnfield, Malden, Manchester, Marblehead, Medford, Melrose, Middleton, Nahant, North Reading, Peabody, Reading, Rockport, Rowley, Salem, Saugus, Stoneham, Swampscott, Topsfield, Wakefield, and Wenham
Twenty-one mutually exclusive unmet needs emerged, which RCC member organizations ranked via priority voting at the first RCC meeting.4
Ashland, Dover, Framingham, Holliston, Hopkinton, Hudson, Marlborough, Milford, Natick, Needham, Newton, Sherborn, Southborough, Sudbury, Wayland, Wellesley, Weston, and Westborough
This RCC is conducting an unmet transportation needs assessment survey.
Acton, Ayer, Bedford, Bolton, Boxborough, Carlisle, Concord, Harvard, Hudson, Littleton, Lexington, Lincoln, Maynard, Shirley, Stow Sudbury, and Westford
This RCC is in the process of collecting existing needs studies and contacting member communities concerning their needs.
Southeast RCC
Attleboro, Bellingham, Berkley, Carver, Dighton, Duxbury, Foxborough, Franklin, Hanover, Kingston, Lakeville, Mansfield, Marshfield, Medway, Middleborough, Norfolk, North Attleboro, Norton, Pembroke, Plainville, Plymouth, Raynham, Rehoboth, Scituate, Seekonk, Taunton, Wareham, and Wrentham
The MPO’s original coordinated plan contained information about service and coordination needs perceived by individuals, organizations, and agencies. While some of these issues have begun to be addressed, the majority are still valid. Needs and service gaps from the previous plan, unmet needs information obtained from recent public input, and needs information from RCCs were divided into the following four categories.
This plan is not intended to be all inclusive. Needs will continue to be identified and included in future updates.
6 Strategies for Addressing Transportation Needs and Prioritizing Projects
The following strategies can be used to address transportation needs of elderly individuals and people with disabilities and to improve coordination of services.
The examples cited below are not intended to limit the approach taken to meet the goals of the funding program:
- Purchase appropriately sized accessible vehicles
- Purchase radios and communication equipment
- Install vehicle shelters
- Purchase wheelchair lifts and restraints
- Rehabilitate, manufacture, or overhaul vehicles
- Undertake preventive maintenance
- Implement vehicle procurement, testing, inspection, and acceptance costs
- Lease equipment when more cost-effective than purchasing
- Acquire transportation services under a contract, lease, or other arrangement
- Introduce new technology into public transportation
- Increase hours of operation
- Extend hours to meet nontraditional work schedules
- Increase service frequency
- Increase weekend service
- Increase service coverage
- New or expanded routes
- Paratransit services beyond the ADA requirements
- Expand service boundaries
- Improve accessibility of existing services
- Use appropriate vehicles.
- Improve amenities (shelters, maps, signs, non-English signs)
- Improve access to stations/stops
- Offer same-day paratransit service
- Enhance level of service
- Improve and standardize driver training
- Improve communications
- Improve scheduling systems
- Improve service promotion and marketing
- Increase use of information technology to coordinate travel
- Provide travel training and trip planning/counseling resources
- Provide one-on-one travel counseling
- Develop volunteer driver programs
- Catalog available services by type and eligibility
- “Brand” services across providers and educate users about the system
- Create or expand voucher program
- Reduce duplication of services through coordination
- Coordinate services to share vehicles for various programs and needs at different time
- Modify eligibility requirements to allow passengers traveling to the same destinations to ride in the same vehicle
- Allow a person with travel needs under various programs to schedule trips through one center
- Improve intermodal connections
- Engage in mobility management
- Coordinate transportation services
- Develop and operate call centers for dispatch and travel coordination
- Arrange for group purchasing
Coordination of services and programs is a major theme common to public input and is a key component of Executive Order 530. Coordination can enhance access, minimize duplication of services, and produce cost‐effective solutions. Coordination should be a regional priority.
Even though there is a desire to coordinate, many obstacles are incurred, which include:
The MPO will continue to promote activities, solicit input, and bring various groups, agencies, and individuals together to further discussions and actions involving transportation services and programs for seniors and persons with disabilities.
Appendix. New Freedom Projects in the Boston Region MPO, 2008-2013
Organization |
Project Name and Purpose |
Project Type |
---|---|---|
Acton |
Taxi Voucher Program |
Became a mobility Management Program |
Acton |
CrossTown Connect Dispatch |
Operating |
Cape Ann Transportation Operating Company |
Medical HealthLink Shuttle |
Shuttle |
Friendship Home |
Wheels to Work |
Operating |
Greater Attleboro Taunton Regional Transit Authority |
Pembroke Shuttle |
Shuttle |
Greater Attleboro-Taunton Regional Transit Authority |
Enhanced Demand Response |
Paratransit |
Greater Lynn Senior Services |
Reaching Beyond Borders Project components include a travel counseling call center, volunteer driver program, and kiosks at community locations where consumers work with travel coaches to plan trips, assess critical driving skills, and develop individualized training |
Mobility Management and Operating |
Greater Lynn Senior Services |
Community Planning |
Planning Mobility Management |
Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority |
Taxi Voucher Program |
Planning and Operating |
Massachusetts Department of Developmental Services |
Mass Advocates Standing Strong |
Travel Training |
Massachusetts Human Services Transportation Office |
Evaluation and Planning Study of the Brokerage System |
Planning Study |
Massachusetts Human Services Transportation Office |
Mobility Management Information Network Pilot |
Internet-based Information |
MetroWest Regional Transit Authority |
Expanded Medical Service |
Paratransit |
MetroWest Regional Transit Authority |
Enhanced Website and Automatic Call |
Capital, web site and equipment |
MetroWest Regional Transit Authority |
Mobility Manager |
Mobility Management |
MetroWest Regional Transit Authority |
Peer-to-Peer Training Program |
Travel Training |
Mission Hill Link |
Capital Program |
Capital, vehicle and equipment |
Mystic Valley Elder Services |
Mystic Valley Elder Services Connect-a-Ride Alliance |
Mobility Management, combination of services (including operating) |
New England Paralyzed Veterans of America |
Capital Program |
Capital, purchase vehicle |
New England Chapter Paralyzed Veterans of America |
Transportation Service |
Paratransit |
North Shore Workforce Investment Board |
Mobility Management and Employment Express |
Paratransit |
SCM Transportation |
Cambridge in Motion |
Mobility Management (including travel training, one stop call center) |
Note: Projects funded during multiple solicitations are only counted once.
Source: CTPS.
1 Chapter 53 of title 49, United States Code, as amended by MAP-21, Related MAP-21 provisions, p.68, October 1, 2012.