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Welcome to the October 2020 issue of the MassMobility newsletter! Organizations around Massachusetts continue to be busy and creative about expanding mobility for older adults, people with disabilities, and low-income individuals. This month's issue highlights one of the newer trends in transportation - microtransit - where public transit authorities offer on-demand service. Riders summon a ride through an app as they would for an Uber or Lyft trip, but the vehicle that comes to get them is a public transit vehicle. Read on to learn how a microtransit pilot in Franklin County helped fill in the gaps to provide essential trips during the pandemic, and how new pilots are launching in Westborough and Plymouth.
As the leaves turn colors and the weather cools, many of us enjoy going for walks. This month's issue also highlights efforts underway to make walking safer for community members of all ages. Read on to learn how Dalton and the Hilltowns are working to improve walking conditions in rural parts of Massachusetts.
We also hear from two initiatives working to increase older adults' access to health, through transportation to food and fitness on Cape Ann, and through on-demand rides to healthcare appointments in the Merrimack Valley.
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The Metropolitan Area Planning Council, in partnership with MassDevelopment, is offering grants up to $250,000 to contract with taxicab, livery, or hackney businesses to meet transportation and delivery needs. Eligible grantees include regional transit authorities, municipal and state agencies, health and human services agencies, and nonprofit organizations across Massachusetts. Applications are due November 20. Learn more on a November 9 webinar.
Bookmark the MassMobility funding webpage to stay up to date on grant opportunities to support community transportation.
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Microtransit provides essential trips in Franklin County
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Pandemic-induced driver shortages, safety protocols, and falling ridership led to temporary service reductions at many transit authorities, including the Franklin Regional Transit Authority (FRTA). To help riders travel to essential destinations, FRTA looked for creative alternatives for their regular riders who typically rely on FRTA's fixed-route bus system. When FRTA reduced service on its fixed routes, call-takers and dispatchers began shifting riders to the FRTA Access microtransit pilot if the bus schedule no longer met their needs.
FRTA Access is a microtransit program allowing the general public to book on-demand rides on FRTA's demand-response vehicles, as space allows. The program initially launched last year as a pilot. FRTA's demand-response is typically only available to individuals who apply for eligibility based on a disability, veteran status, residence in a nursing home, or participation in a home care program. Through FRTA Access, FRTA seeks to use any available capacity to expand general mobility. After these priority riders reserve their trips, the FRTA Access program opens up available seats to the general public.
As paratransit ridership also fell due to the pandemic, there was even more space available on FRTA's demand-response vehicles. FRTA dispatch call-takers assisted fixed-route riders with booking their essential rides through the FRTA Access Program. "Even with the major disruption in daily life caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, we were able to rise to the occasion and quickly shift our transit operating model to focus on delivering essential trips by leveraging our FRTA Access microtransit model. Transportation continues to be disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, and we will continue being flexible with our FRTA Access microtransit model to fill transportation gaps for people affected by COVID-19," shares Michael Perrault, Assistant Administrator at FRTA.
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Microtransit pilots launch in Westborough and South Plymouth
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The Worcester Regional Transit Authority (WRTA) launched a pilot microtransit service in Westborough on September 22, providing last mile connections from the Southborough and Westborough train stations to key destinations such as local office parks and the Northborough Wegmans. WRTA previously provided a fixed-route shuttle in Westborough, but the shuttle was suspended due to low ridership when the pandemic hit. The one-year micotransit pilot, funded through a discretionary grant from MassDOT, will allow WRTA to explore offering a more flexible service for Westborough.
Service is on-demand; riders summon and pay for their trips through downloading the "Via" smartphone app, or by calling Via customer service. Rides are provided on dedicated vehicles - including one wheelchair-accessible vehicle - and drivers are trained professionals. As a promotion, WRTA is offering the rides fare-free through November 9.
The Greater Attleboro Taunton Regional Transit Authority (GATRA) launched a brand new microtransit service in South Plymouth October 5. Riders can book a trip by downloading an app or calling dispatch, and rides are free for the first month. This is GATRA's second microtransit pilot, joining its Mansfield-area GATRA GO service.
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DPH Healthy Aging grants support mobility in the Hilltowns and Cape Ann
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In late September, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) announced its awards for three grant programs to address systemic health inequities, including a Healthy Aging fund. DPH awarded Healthy Aging grants to projects related to age-friendly mobility in two regions: the Hilltowns and Cape Ann. Hilltowns Hilltown Community Development (Hilltown CDC) received a three-year grant to build on and expand age-friendly walkability in their rural region. Walkable communities emerged as a priority from an age-friendly initiative in the Northern Hilltowns in the fall and winter of 2019: in town after town, meeting after meeting, older adults said they did not feel safe crossing the road or walking in their Village Centers. The project covers Chesterfield, Cummington, Goshen, Plainfield, Westhampton, Williamsburg, and Worthington, most of which have a state road bisecting their town center, sometimes carrying high-speed traffic. Hilltown CDC is partnering with Healthy Hampshire, the Northern Hilltown Council on Aging Consortium, and WalkBoston on the Healthy Aging grant. Through the grant, Hilltown CDC and its partners will work to engage communities, conduct walk audits, identify opportunities to improve walkability, and advocate and collaborate on making improvements in each of the seven towns. They plan to take a different approach in each community, as some towns have already done substantial walkability work, while others are just beginning. While direct, in-person engagement with older adults was a critical piece of the original project proposal, project partners are currently working to revise their timelines to avoid in-person gatherings during COVID-19. They plan to begin by focusing on building strong relationships with the Select Boards in each town, as well as with MassDOT at the state level. They are also researching the possibility of engaging older adults virtually, although lack of broadband in the rural region poses a barrier. "When we talk about transportation, walking really has a role. We believe that walking is very important - even in rural areas - for health reasons, for community, and for those businesses we do have in Village Centers, like the post office and the corner store. In rural communities as well, people can and should be able to walk to amenities. Hilltown CDC has had a longtime commitment to Village Center model, and this is a really important project to us from that perspective," explains Kate Bavelock, Director of Community Programs at the CDC. Cape Ann Cape Ann Mass in Motion received a Healthy Aging grant to support Cape Ann Seniors on the Go, an initiative using transportation to increase low-income seniors' access to healthy food and fitness activities in Essex, Gloucester, Manchester, and Rockport. Cape Ann Seniors on the Go, which initially launched last fall, offers free rides for low-income seniors to locations such as farmers' markets, food pantries, and good walking destinations, through contracts with existing transportation providers: Cape Ann Transit Authority (CATA) in Gloucester and Rockport, and the Manchester Council on Aging for Essex and Manchester. The grant will fund two years of full operations while Cape Ann Mass in Motion works with member municipalities on long-term sustainability strategy. After two years, the grant will no longer cover transportation operations directly, but will continue funding staffing, outreach, and evaluation for three additional years while the program transitions. Responding to COVID-19, Cape Ann Mass in Motion, CATA, and the Manchester COA worked to develop a safety plan for transportation. They had riders call a day in advance to reserve a seat on a scheduled trip, so that CATA or the COA can dispatch a second vehicle or add another run if interest is high, to make sure passengers can space themselves out in the vehicle. For example, Manchester's Thursday runs to Market Basket are popular, so the COA schedules two trips regularly, but adds a third run if more than 10 people sign up. "We're seeing increasing ridership, even during a pandemic, so that shows the need," shares Cape Ann Mass in Motion Grant Coordinator Jennifer Donnelly. Donnelly has worked with community partners to add destinations to the schedule, such as a farmstand and a popular seafood market. Donnelly also relays riders' feedback to partners to help them tweak their services to better fit riders' needs, such as offering smaller portions at the seafood market and more choice at the curbside pick-up food pantry. "The bus is bringing a lot of awareness to people in different roles that there are people we need to think about and not leave behind, such as the seniors who live in public housing," Donnelly explains. The group is currently recruiting older adults for their Rider Advisory Board, which will provide feedback on the transportation service and assist with outreach to new riders. The Board will include one resident from each of the public housing complexes for older adults in each of the four participating communities.
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Dalton takes an age-friendly approach to pedestrian safety
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From July through October, MassDOT awarded a total of $10.2 million to fund 124 projects in 103 municipalities through the Baker-Polito Administration's Shared Streets and Spaces Program to support public health, safe mobility, and renewed commerce through quick-build changes to curbs, streets, and parking. Dalton, which received funds in July, took an age-friendly approach and applied for funding to install solar-powered flashing safety beacons to improve pedestrian safety at two important crossings on busy state roads: one near a senior low-income housing facility, and another near a school. "The senior housing is across the street from four restaurants, the post office, and a Cumberland Farms, and it's a short walk to our town's new Senior Center, but it's so hard to cross there right now. We've identified it as a high-risk area. Using this light will make it easier for people to cross," explains Dan Filiault, Chairman of Dalton's Traffic Commission. Since receiving the funding, Dalton has been working with MassDOT to get all needed permits and plans to issue an RFP later this year.
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BRTA video promotes safety
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The Berkshire Regional Transit Authority (BRTA) is using videos to let passengers know the steps BRTA is taking to make travel safe during the pandemic - and how riders can do their part. "The COVID-19 pandemic is both scary and overwhelming. We wanted to mitigate some of that by letting our customers and potential customers know what BRTA is doing to transport them safely. This is a team effort for safe riding between the BRTA, BRTA bus drivers, and BRTA bus riders. It is a cooperative movement with the onus on all of us," explains Sarah Vallieres, Deputy Administrator at BRTA. The short video is available in both English and Spanish on BRTA's website, and they are also disseminating it through email blasts and social media.
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CareRide wins national award
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In September, the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging (n4a) awarded Elder Services of the Merrimack Valley and North Shore (ESMV/NS) a 2020 Aging Achievement Award for its CareRide pilot, which offers subsidized on-demand rides to older adults who have no other way to get to a medical appointment. This annual awards program recognizes aging services agencies that have found new and innovative ways to support older adults, people with disabilities, and caregivers as they live in their homes and communities for as long as possible.
CareRide launched in June 2019 with funding from the Lowell General Hospital. Lowell General medical providers, Elder Services staff, and local Councils on Aging refer older adults who need transportation in order to access their appointments, and CareRide's bilingual Program Coordinator talks to them to explain the service as well as discuss other transportation options that may be available to them. The pilot serves older adults in Billerica, Chelmsford, Dracut, Dunstable, Lowell, Tewksbury, Tyngsboro, and Westford. Riders pay $4 each way for local trips and $10 for long-distance rides. Most rides are booked through Lyft, but CareRide's digital platform also offers wheelchair-accessible vans.
"Safe, affordable, and reliable transportation means older adults have greater ability to access health services and remain actively involved in their health care," shares Martha Leen, Director of Community Programs and Area Agency Planner at ESMV/NS. "Even in our region, which has public transit, Council on Aging vans, and a volunteer driver program, there are still gaps. We created CareRide to fill those gaps. But when our Program Coordinator talks to the rider, it's about so much more than the ride - it's about providing a wellness check and social connection."
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Thank you to Emmett Schmarsow
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As he prepares to retire at the end of the month after 43 years of state service, please join us in thanking Emmett Schmarsow for his many years of hard work assisting Councils on Aging in providing transportation and other services to older adults across the Commonwealth. Thank you, Emmett!
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Hot off the press! Check out these new reports:
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Catch up on last month's webinars
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Check out these webinars related to community transportation:
- Marketing community transportation - learn about free tools to help with outreach around your transportation service, as well as examples of how transportation providers around the country are using marketing tools to welcome riders back on board and address safety concerns.
- Universities exploring community transportation (scroll down to October 8) - learn how UMass Boston, Babson University, and the UMass Med School are incorporating community transportation topics into their curricula.
In addition, if you missed the AARP Livable Communities Transportation Workshop, you can watch the videos online. To learn about upcoming webinars and other events related to mobility management, join our events email list.
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Coming up in November
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MassDOT's annual Moving Together conference will be held virtually November 17-19. Learn more and register at www.movingtogetherma.org. |
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Job postings
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Easterseals is hiring a Technical Assistance Specialist to work on National Center for Mobility Management projects. The job is located in Chicago, or may be remote.
The National Center for Applied Transit Technology is hiring a Transit Technologist. The job is located in Washington DC, or may be remote.
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COVID-19 and community transportation
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Thank you
We want to thank all our readers who are on the front lines helping older adults, people with disabilities, and essential workers. We also wish to send a special thank you to all drivers!
Updates
For up-to-date information about a particular transportation service, please contact the transportation provider directly.
For general information, visit these websites:
In addition, various organizations have compiled COVID-19 resources related to transportation or mobility management:
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Follow us on Twitter
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Are you on Twitter? If so, follow us @MassMobility for links to community transportation resources relevant to organizations and agencies here in Massachusetts. If you aren't on Twitter, you can still see our posts online at twitter.com/MassMobility/.
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We want to know your stories
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If you have suggestions for news items or topics to cover in future newsletters, please contact us or submit a guest article. Comments, questions, and feedback are also welcome.
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Please share this newsletter
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Please forward this newsletter widely to others who are interested in mobility management, community transportation, or related topics and encourage them to subscribe to receive future newsletters and publications.
You can also read past issues of all MassMobility newsletters.
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