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
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: Ride the CAT brochure [Opens as a PDF]
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
More Information: www.townofmaynard-ma.gov/shuttle/
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.
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]
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
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]
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
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
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
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
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
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
Go Sudbury!
Qualifications for Rides: Van service open to Sudbury residents age 60+ and those age 18+ with a qualified disability. Taxi and Uber service open to Sudbury residents, persons with a child enrolled in Sudbury Public Schools or the Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School, or persons who work in the Town of Sudbury. Participants must also meet one of the following criteria: age 60+ years; age 18+ years of age with a disability which limits driving or financial need; active-duty military, National Guard, or veteran of the armed forces.
Service Area: Transportation program includes Sudbury Connection Van service, Taxi Rides Program, and Uber Ride Program. Each provides service to differing areas within Sudbury and to surrounding towns (generally within a 25-mile radius) for medical appointments, shopping, errands, and community events. See website for more detailed information. Trips must start or end in Sudbury. Sudbury Connection Van service is wheelchair accessible.
Pre-registration Required:
Advance Notice:
- Sudbury Connection Van Service requires 48 hours advanced notice.
- Uber rides are on-demand but subject to availability.
- Taxi rides require 24 hours advanced notice. Call the CrossTown Connect Dispatch Call Center at 978-844-6809 to arrange a ride.
More Information:
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
