Published in the May 25, 2017 edition
By BILL LAFORME
NORTH READING – Selectmen have signed off on a proposal to bring a para-transportation service to the town’s seniors in the coming months.
The program would be conducted through the Merrimack Valley Regional Transportation Authority and would be similar to the MBTA’s “The Ride” program, which provides curb to curb transportation for needs such as doctor visits and other things.
The service will be paid for out of the town’s existing assessment for the MBTA, which amounts to about $102,000 at this point. Town Administrator Mike Gilleberto reported at Monay’s selectmen’s meeting that town officials met recently with Rep. Brad Jones and a top MVRTA official to discuss the effort. Gilleberto particularly cited Jones’ work to make the project a reality.
From here, the town will set other details of the program, such as how much riders will pay for the service. Board of Selectmen Chair Mike Prisco also emphasized that the service must not be treated as an entitlement program or miaused by people for whom the service is not actually intended. The service would likely be in place later this year.
GIlleberto also noted that the legislature had acted last year to allow towns to add regional transportation with a selectmen’s vote, setting the stage for Monday night’s 4-0 approval.
