Transportation Programs By Town
The following programs provide transportation help for residents of the Emerson Health community. Program availability depends on where the rider lives, where they are traveling from, and the destination. This guide provides resources and relevant contact information listed by town. Consider where you are going and where you are starting from and review the program’s requirements to help you navigate your trip.
Please note: geographic boundaries may limit a direct ride from one point to another.
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 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 an on-demand route service.
- Pre-registration Required: Please call ahead for rides. Dispatch opens at 7:30am – 8:00am for same day reservations.
- Advance Notice: Book ahead or call for rides on day service is requested. Rides are on a first come, first served basis. Medical rides within Bedford 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
MART Connects
- Qualifications: Rides are open to individuals aged 12 and over.
- Service Area: MART connects offers rides up to 20 miles from starting locations in the following towns: Bolton, Lancaster, Littleton, Lunenberg, Sterling and Stow.
- Pre-registration required: No
- Advance Notice: at least 24 hours
- More information: Curb to curb rides are available 5:30 AM – 10:00 PM daily. The cost of rides is up to $5/way depending on how many miles the ride is. To book a ride call 800-922-5636 Option 4
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
- Email: Human Services Director: kdee@boxborough-ma.gov
Go Boxborough!
- Qualifications for Rides: Boxborough residents aged 60 and older and adults aged 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
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 are the Ride Categories/Suggested Donation:
- Rides within Carlisle – Free
- Rides within a 10-mile radius – Free until September 2025
- Rides between 15-30 miles – $20 round trip
- Boston medical rides – $30 round trip plus any parking fees
- Other Programs:
- Lyft 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
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 on a first come, first served basis. They 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:
- MBTA Commuter Rail
- Yankee Line Commuter Bus Service into Boston
- 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 Senior Center Bus
- Qualifications for Rides: All Hudson residents aged 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 through 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.
MART Connects
- Qualifications: Rides are open to individuals aged 12 and over.
- Service Area: MART connects offers rides up to 20 miles from starting locations in the following towns: Bolton, Lancaster, Littleton, Lunenberg, Sterling and Stow.
- Pre-registration required: No
- Advance Notice: at least 24 hours
- More information: Curb to curb rides are available 5:30am-10pm daily. The cost of rides is up to $5/way depending on how many miles the ride is. To book a ride call 800-922-5636 Option 4
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
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 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: Yes, through Council on Aging
- Advance Notice: 24 hours minimum.
- More Information: Stow Council on Aging: 978-897-1880 | Stow Transportation Website | COA Transportation coordinator, Gigi Lengieza
MART Connects
- Qualifications: Rides are open to individuals aged 12 and over.
- Service Area: MART connects offers rides up to 20 miles from starting locations in the following towns: Bolton, Lancaster, Littleton, Lunenberg, Sterling and Stow.
- Pre-registration required: No
- Advance Notice: at least 24 hours
- More information: Curb to curb rides are available 5:30am-10pm daily. The cost of rides is up to $5/way depending on how many miles the ride is. To book a ride call 800-922-5636 Option 4
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.
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
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
Catch Connect Sudbury
- Service is available Monday through Friday, Noon – 6:00 PM
- Qualifications: this service is available to all Sudbury residents aged 12 years of age and older but is targeted to provide transportation support to residents 60 years of age and older, as well as those who are 12 years of age and older who have a disability or financial need.
- Service Area: within Sudbury and to the Target store plaza in Marlborough.
- Pre-Registration: Riders download the “MWRTA Catch” app to their smartphone or call (508) 283-5083 to request a ride.
- Advance Notice: On demand.
- More information: Service is currently FARE FREE due to Mass. State Grant support through June 2025.
Sudbury-Wayland Boston Hospital Shuttle
- Sudbury partners with the MetroWest Regional Transit Authority to run the Hospital Shuttle on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays each week.
- Qualifications: Targeted to serve Sudbury residents who are 60 years of age or older, as well as residents 18 years of age or older with a disability, but open to all.
- Pre-Registration: Yes, call 508-820-4650 to register and for reservations
- Advance Notice: 24 hours or more
- More Information: Service is currently FARE FREE due a Mass. State Grant through June 30, 2025.
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 can access the VA New England Shuttle that travels between VA facilities.
- For more information and a schedule for the shuttle:
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)
- Leaves Littleton/495 Commuter Rail Station (RT2/495) at 8:15 AM
- Estimated return time 5:30 PM
- 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. See the schedule for more information.