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Transportation options for older adults

Town of Brookline resources

Transportation to the Senior Center

For transportation to the Brookline Senior Center, residents of the Town can call the Van reservation Line at (617) 730-2750 at least one business day in advance. Please include the following information for all rides: name, phone number, pick up/drop off address, requested date/time for pick up. Donations are welcome to help offset the cost of gas. We appreciate your support!

Please note: The Senior Center uses a variety of transportation systems to get residents to and from the Senior Center. 

Introduction to Transit Related Apps

In 2021, with the support of MassDOT, TRIPPS developed a series of videos and materials to help older adults access transportation-related smartphone apps like Uber & Lyft. To access these materials, visit the Council on Aging’s Transportation Resources & Guides Page

BSC Medical Transportation

The Brookline Senior Center is working with Modern Ride (a local taxi cab company) to continue to provide FREE non-emergency medical transportation services to older residents using existing taxi services in the area. Transportation requests to medical appointments should continue to be left on the Brookline Senior Center Medical Transportation Line at (617) 879-4878 at least 3-30 business days in advance of the appointment. Please leave your name and phone number with detailed appointment information. Your request will be confirmed within 24 hours.

This service is curb-to-curb and available for rides within the Town of Brookline and to select medical facilities (including the Longwood Medical Area, Harvard Vanguard-Kenmore, Mass General, Mass Eye & Ear, Faulkner Hospital, Boston Medical Center, the VA Hospital, and St. Elizabeth’s). Hours are Monday-Friday from 9:00am-5:00pm.

Note: Medical transportation is not available on days when the Senior Center is closed. This service provides both shared and individual rides.

Brookline Transportation Programs with Lyft and GoGo Grandparent

These programs each offer 4 subsidized rides per month to older adults in Brookline and is limited to income eligible seniors, aged 60 and over (individual $78,300 maximum; couple $89,500 maximum). Each Brookline Program will offer four discounted rides per month of up to $10 per ride. The passenger will pay the first $2; the discount will pay up to the next $10.

Lyft is a ridesharing transportation company that offers curb-to-curb service nationwide. The discount will automatically download each month into the Lyft app on your smartphone. This option will be available 24/7 without any restrictions on miles or pick up location.

GoGo Grandparent is a national company that provides dispatch service for Uber/Lyft vehicles in our area from your landline or “flip” phone. This option will be available 24/7 but is limited to trips within Brookline and select medical facilities.

For more information on either program, contact Maria Foster, Transportation Coordinator, at (617) 730-2644 or mfoster@brooklinema.gov.

Brookline’s HELP Program

Brookline’s HELP Program can connect older adults to escorts and limited transportation. This is a paid service with home care workers vetted by Council on Aging social workers. A home visit is required to participate in the HELP Program. While the Senior Center is closed, staff will be conducting telephone assessments of new clients. Please call (617) 730-2752. Currently, the HELP Program is offering free transportation to eye care appointments through the Trusted Transportation Program. Call the HELP Program to find out more.

Other services

Medical Equipment

Food Security

Health & Wellness

Volunteering

Tech Assistance

Social Services

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If you’re looking for something and can’t find it, or think there’s something missing here, please let us know!

Other transportation options

MBTA Senior Charlie Card

The MBTA Senior Charlie Card provides for a 50% discount on the subway and bus system. To obtain a Senior CharlieCard, visit: https://www.mbta.com/fares/reduced/senior-charliecard.

Need help applying?

Volunteers from the TRIPPS Program at the Senior Center can help to process new Senior Charlie Cards through the MBTA online application form. Please call the TRIPPS line at (617) 730-2644 to schedule an appointment.

This is for NEW Senior Charlie Cards ONLY. Renewals can be processed by calling the Charlie Card Store at 617-222-3200.

MBTA The Ride

The Ride paratransit service provides door-to-door, shared ride transportation to eligible people who are unable to use the MBTA’s fixed route transit (bus, subway, trolley) some or all of the time due to physical, cognitive or mental disability. To qualify, contact The Ride Eligibility Center at 617-337-2727.

MassHealth PT-1

The PT-1 Transportation Program is a Medical Transportation Program for those who have MassHealth (Standard, CommonHealth, CarePlus). MassHealth customers may qualify for medical transportation to MassHealth covered appointments. For more information speak to your MassHealth provider or call the MassHealth customer service number at (800) 841-2900.

MetroCab

Metro Cab is a Brighton based cab company that will serve Brookline residents at (617) 782-5500 but please be aware that MetroCab will not take the Brookline Senior Taxi Coupons.  They do provide some wheelchair accessible vans.

GoGo Grandparent

Residents who do not qualify for the subsidized program with GoGo can choose to sign up with the company on their own. Call: (855) 464-6872 or (888) 755-1775 or visit https://gogograndparent.com/.

Volunteer medical escort programs

FriendshipWorks: https://fw4elders.org/ or call (857) 465-3126.
Springwell: https://springwell.com/service/medical-escort/ or call (617) 926-4100.

Translation services are available

Дополнительную информацию по выбору вариантов транспортных услуг и перевод на русский язык можно получить по телефону (617) 730-2740.

假如你要得到交通服务的帮助,请致电(617) 730-2644,提供翻译服务