The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority is revitalizing its van service for passengers with disabilities by introducing a new pilot program to target passengers’ needs. The Ride, the MBTA’s van service, provides transportation for those who are unable to use fixed-route transit because of a physical, cognitive or mental disability.
“The program will be six months long and currently involves 124 people, with 124 debit cards activated for use,” MBTA spokesman Jason Johnson wrote in an email.
Participants will be able to pay for their rides with subsidized debit cards provided by the MBTA. Johnson said that a total of $672,662 has been allocated for the program, with $389,707 coming from the New Freedom Program and $282,955 coming from the MBTA. The MBTA has also considered partnering with transportation services to further implement the program.
In 2015, The Ride provided 2.1 million trips with an average of 7,000 per weekday, according to a Nov. 9 MBTA presentation. The introduction of this new program could potentially save the MBTA $16 million.
Rick Morin, treasurer of the Bay State Council of the Blind, said that the program’s passengers would be able to get the equivalent of a $15 ride for $2.
“I put $2 in and the MBTA matches it with $13,” Morin said. “I can take a taxi for $15 and if it goes over that amount, then I will have to pay extra.”
Morin said that the pilot program is more economically sustainable for the MBTA than The Ride, and that he no longer has to book his rides 24 hours in advance or get locked into the schedule that The Ride assigns to its passengers.
“I get home when I want to get home, not when the ride schedules it,” Morin said. “The MBTA has had preliminary partnership conversations with other possible providers such as Uber and Lyft.”
Morin said he thinks a partnership with Uber would be beneficial to the program.
“I think it would be a great idea to expand to Uber,” Morin said. “But we have to realize that this is just a pilot program so there’s no commitment that it will continue, but all the economics look like it will.”
Mary Caroline Pruitt, a Lyft spokesperson, said in an email that the company has been implementing programs aimed at helping other transit organizations.
“We’ve had conversations across the country with transit agencies like MBTA about how we can help supplement their transit programs,” Pruitt wrote.
Uber spokesperson Carlie Waibel confirmed the company’s officials have discussed a partnership with The Ride. In an email, Waibel wrote that the company is eager to work with The Ride to implement new strategies.
“Uber stands ready to work with the MBTA to help solve some of the challenges facing important services like The Ride as they look at ways to increase mobility options across the Commonwealth and looks forward to continuing discussions on what a partnership utilizing our innovative technology could look like,” Waibel wrote in an email.
Several residents had a positive reaction to the new program.
John Spencer, 77, of Back Bay said he thinks the MBTA should try this program to offer support to those in need.
“It’s a terrific idea. I’ve used Uber and I’ve been very satisfied,” he said. “I have not used [The Ride] but I think it’s a great idea, certainly for people who are below the poverty line or need assistance.”
Jacob Sirof, 25, of Allston said he thinks it’s always a good idea to have more access for people with disabilities.
“It’s a great idea,” he said. “It’s good for a six-month trial, if it’s working out well then I don’t see any reason why it shouldn’t continue.”
Milan Baudelaire, 33, of Brookline said that she thinks the MBTA is helping a good cause.
“I do take the T and I think every couple of years they raise the fares anyways,” she said. “So if they’re raising it this time to help disabled people get around I guess I can’t complain about that.”
