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Transportation Updates and Resources
This note was prepared by Meg Robertson, COMS, former Director of the Orientation and Mobility Department, Massachusetts Commission for the Blind. She presented it at the BSCB Annual Fall Conference on November 17, 2018 at the Carroll Center for the Blind, Newton, Massachusetts.
Paratransit Services in Massachusetts
Many Transit Authorities have been providing some para transit services for over 30 years. There are 15 Regional Transit Authorities (RTAs) in Massachusetts. For a RTA list go to
This page lists all transit authorities with up-to-date contact information:
Paratransit service is a shared-ride system, for individuals who cannot use fixed route transit, some or all the time due to a physical, cognitive or mental disability. To apply for Para transit, one must contact the local Regional Transit Authorities (RTA) and apply for the service. Once eligible, one may also access other transit authorities if traveling to other area in state and/or out-of-state.
One does not have to live in the Paratransit community to apply. For example, of you live in a community which does not have paratransit but travel to one, you can apply to that transit system and once found eligible can access it when you are in that community.
One companion may also ride with eligible rider if space is available & pays a fare. (A PCA does not count as a companion & does not pay a fare.)
ADA Paratransit has three categories of eligibility (taken from ADA Paratransit Eligibility):
- Unable to navigate the System independently
- Needs an accessible vehicle
- Inaccessible bus routes & bus stops
- Lack of stop announcements
- Obstacles which prevent Individual from reaching transit system
- Terrain, weather, safety or other obstacles which may hinder due to disability
There are 3 types of eligibility:
- Unconditional (all Trips)
- Conditional (some Trips)
- Temporary (short term)
Depending on the Transit system, you may be eligible for para transit but your trip may not be. Many transit systems to do not enforce this rule, at this time. However, one should be aware that not all trips may be eligible to use para transit. An example is that there is a bus stop in front of your house and the bus drops you off in front of your destination, that trip may not be eligible for para transit ride if there are no other factors preventing you from taking the bus.
A Paratransit rider may also use the main line transit system. It is not an either-or system.
Paratransit issues include, the trip usually must be set up 24 hours in advance though this may vary with each RTA. It is a shared ride system so not direct service and fares usually cost more than taking the fixed route system.
Para transit is a destination to destination service so if the RTA usually only provides curb to curb service, it can provide door to door service if the disability requires this assistance.
The MCB O&M department now recommends that consumers should apply for para transit as a back-up transportation option, even if one never uses it. An example is when an independent traveler breaks a leg and can no longer walk, one may then use para transit to continue to get around the community.
Additional Transportation Options
Local Council on Aging van ride service: They may provide assistance to people with disabilities who are not elders within the town or city limits. (Seniors are considered 60 or over, even is still working.)
The Massachusetts Human Service Transportation Department: will assist with finding transportation options. 617-847-3744.
MassRides is the Executive Office of Transportation’s statewide travel options program: Provides free assistance to commuters, employers, and students and is also a ride-matching service: 888-4-COMMUTE (888-426-6883)
Mass 211 has information about transportation and other services statewide: call 2-1-1
If a Veteran, contact local Veteran worker in the city or town.
*Job commuting, check with worksite/HR Dept. for ride-sharing options. One may wish to negotiate with the company to see if they will provide assistance.
YesWeVan !: Southcoast transit resource:
For other ride sharing options check out: Craigslist; Church/local volunteer organizations: Taxi/Cab or Uber/Lyft services or hire own driver
Senior Resources
GoGoGrandparent: Allows older adults to utilize on demand transportation companies like Lyft while keeping family and loved ones notified. GoGoGrandparent 855-464-6872 Fee for Services
Other Resources
Chestnut Hills Rides & Errands: Covers Greater Boston and other areas, call for information on other areas at 617-874-0487.
Association for Public Transportation: Massachusetts Transit Links
Route Planning Resources
Google has a service like MapQuest but now has added Transit, in search options. Go to Google, click on maps section (top of page), type address, click on type of transit (car, public transit or walking) to find a route.
NextBus Different Massachusetts transit authorities participate in this program.
Navigation Apps
Smartphone apps that tell you where you are, what is around you, and how to get where you’re going on foot.
BlindSquare
Announces your location, nearby streets, intersections and places of interest, and works with the GPS app of your choice for turn-by-turn directions. iPhone; paid.
VoiceVista
The successor to Microsoft Soundscape. It uses 3D audio to call out places and intersections from the direction they are in, and lets you set audio beacons to walk toward, helping you build a mental map of an area. iPhone; free.
Get VoiceVista on the App Store
Lazarillo
Announces nearby places, street names and intersections as you walk, and gives accessible turn-by-turn directions, including inside some mapped buildings. iPhone and Android; free.
Oko
Uses your phone’s camera to read pedestrian crossing signals and tells you, with sound and vibration, when the walk signal is on. Use it in daylight and alongside your usual mobility skills, not in place of them. iPhone.
GoodMaps
Step-by-step indoor directions in buildings that have been mapped for it, such as some airports, transit stations, malls and college campuses. iPhone and Android; free.
Google Maps and Apple Maps
Both give spoken walking directions and work with VoiceOver and TalkBack. Google Maps can also give more detailed voice guidance for walking, telling you when you are heading the right way and when you near a turn.
For more apps, see the National Library Service’s guide GPS and Wayfinding Apps (2020).
Transit Apps
Apps with real-time arrivals, trip planning and service alerts for the MBTA and other Massachusetts transit systems.
MBTA Go
The MBTA’s own app: real-time arrivals and service alerts for MBTA service, from the people who run it. It works with VoiceOver and TalkBack. iPhone and Android; free.
Learn about MBTA Go on mbta.com
Transit
Real-time arrivals and trip planning across the MBTA and regional transit authorities such as the WRTA in Worcester, with step-by-step guidance during a trip. iPhone and Android; free.
Where’s My MBTA Bus?
Simple real-time arrival times for MBTA buses and trains at the stops you choose. iPhone.
Get Where’s My MBTA Bus? on the App Store
MWRTA Catch
Real-time bus tracking for the MetroWest Regional Transit Authority (MWRTA) in Framingham and surrounding towns.
Get MWRTA Catch on the App Store
Moovit
Trip planning and real-time arrivals for public transit in Greater Boston and cities around the world, with step-by-step directions and alerts for when to get off. iPhone and Android; free.
Citymapper
Trip planning for Greater Boston that compares transit, walking, rideshare and bike options, with live departures and alerts for your stop. iPhone and Android; free.
You can also search your phone’s app store for “MBTA” or for your regional transit authority to find others.