WRTA Receiving $70k to Expand Options for Older Adults, People with Disabilities

WORCESTER - The Worcester Regional Transit Authority is receving three grants totaling more than $70,000 to expand transit options for older adults and people with disabilities.

The Baker-Polito Administration announced earlier this week a total of $1.9 million for municipalities, Councils on Aging, Regional Transit Authorities, and nonprofit organizations under the Community Transit Grant Program administered by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT). This annual competitive grant program awards money to be used for transit operations and mobility management projects that complement and expand the community transportation options available in communities across Massachusetts.

“Community Transit Grants provide critical funding to municipalities and local organizations to help people get where they need to go in an accessible, age-friendly way,” said former Gov. Baker. “We are proud to fund these grants and see the work that gets accomplished through this program.”

The WRTA is receiving three community transit grants worth $72,000. The grants will go toward the following projects:

• a demand response service offered to people with disabilities and people age 60+ traveling from Holden to Worcester and return when the COA vehicle is not in service. ($12,000)
• a demand response service to bring older adults and people with disabilities from 21 rural and suburban communities into Worcester during the midday hours. Prior to offering this midday service, passengers were transported to Worcester in the morning and had to wait many hours before being picked up in the afternoon, regardless of their medical appointment time. ($15,000)
• ReadyBus service provides a much-needed transportation service focusing on people with disabilities and people age 60 and over who live and work in the towns of Southbridge, Spencer, Sturbridge and Webster. ($45,000)

A second set of awards for wheelchair-accessible vehicles will be made in the spring.