The Ride (MBTA)
| Company type | Public transportation service |
|---|---|
| Industry | Paratransit |
| Founded | April 1977 |
| Headquarters | Boston , United States |
Area served | Greater Boston region |
| Products | Door-to-door paratransit transportation for individuals with disabilities |
| Owner | Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) |
| Parent | Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) |
The Ride (occasionally presented as The RIDE) is the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority's paratransit service designed for individuals with disabilities who are unable to utilize the MBTA’s standard bus, subway, and trolley routes. This program provides door-to-door transportation through a fleet of wheelchair accessible vans and sedans, with drivers assisting passengers from their door to the vehicle and back. Launched in April 1977 with just two vehicles, The Ride adheres to the accessibility mandates set forth by the 1990 Americans With Disabilities Act. In 2023, it facilitated 1.5 million rides for approximately 30,000 users, operating on a budget of $130 million.
Unlike fixed-route transit options, all trips on The Ride must be booked in advance, usually by 5 p.m. on the day prior to travel. Additional fees apply for same-day modifications, journeys extending beyond three-quarters of a mile from fixed routes, or travel outside the primary service zone. The Ride does not operate using the MBTA’s CharlieCard system; instead, riders maintain individual MBTA accounts.
Since 2016, a pilot initiative permits limited monthly usage of transportation network companies (TNCs) such as Lyft and Uber for curb-to-curb trips arranged via smartphone apps, eliminating the need for advance scheduling. However, wheelchair-accessible TNC vehicles remain limited. Passengers contribute a nominal fare per ride while the MBTA subsidizes costs up to a predetermined limit; any expenses exceeding that amount are borne by the rider.
The Ride has encountered criticism due to its high operational expenses—exceeding $65 per trip in 2016—and an inefficient service delivery model. Contractors receive payments exceeding $40 per trip, subject to deductions for tardiness penalties. As of July 2019, fares are set at $3.35 for ADA-eligible rides and $5.60 for premium services, with the MBTA subsidizing over 90% of total expenses. Fare levels continue to be aligned with standard MBTA bus fare policies.
Operations
Managed by the MBTA, The Ride contracts out its services within the Greater Boston region to NEXT (National Express Transit) and VTS (Veterans Transportation Services). Reservation and dispatch call center operations are handled by Intelliride, a subsidiary of Transdev. The fleet consists of vans and sedans branded with MBTA insignia.
Service contracts for The Ride are generally awarded on a five-year cycle. In September 2019, the MBTA proposed dividing trip allocations as follows: 50% to NEXT, 30% to MV Transportation, and 20% to VTS based on pricing competitiveness and operational capabilities. After MV Transportation declined participation, the MBTA finalized contracts in November 2019 granting equal shares (50%) to both NEXT and VTS. The Ride’s coverage encompasses all areas served by MBTA bus routes. Transfers between different providers were halted in March 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic and this change was made permanent in June 2020; consequently, both NEXT and VTS now operate across the entire service territory.
Effective October 1, 2021, trips originating from Logan International Airport terminals with destinations within close proximity of the MBTA subway system became complimentary, matching existing free inbound rides on the Silver Line airport service.
In August 2020, new scheduling software called Routematch was introduced but encountered significant performance problems; by October 2021, the MBTA reverted back to using the previous ADEPT system.
Criticism
Despite significant improvements in system-wide accessibility over recent decades, the Ride program has been criticized for imposing substantial costs on the MBTA. In discussions held in 2013 concerning fare increases and service reductions, the program’s elevated per-passenger expense was pointed out as a source of inefficiency.
By November 2019, accessibility had been achieved at all MBTA Bus routes, Orange and Red Line stations, nearly all Blue Line stations, the majority of Green Line stops, Mattapan Trolley stations, and commuter rail terminals. Numerous Ride users integrate paratransit services with standard MBTA transit options within central communities such as Boston, Brookline, Cambridge, and Somerville. Although accessibility options have broadened, the number of Ride passengers and daily trips continues to rise each year. To help control expenses, the MBTA has implemented initiatives permitting specific Ride customers to utilize more affordable rideshare alternatives like Lyft and Uber for curb-to-curb transportation.
2020 VTS strike
Beginning June 27, 2020, VTS and NEXT assumed responsibility for the area previously covered by GLSS, with many former GLSS drivers transitioning to VTS.
On July 12, 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, VTS drivers initiated a strike concerning health benefits after contract negotiations between Teamsters Local 25 and VTS expired at the end of June. Drivers expressed concerns about potential health hazards due to restricted social distancing within Ride vehicles, particularly when assisting passengers.
In response to the pandemic in April 2020, The Ride had ceased shared rides to safeguard both passengers and drivers. However, amid the strike-induced driver shortage, MBTA temporarily reinstated shared trips and informed customers to anticipate multiple passengers per vehicle.
After eight days on strike, the Veterans drivers ratified a new contract on July 19, 2020, with a 90% approval rate, bringing the strike to a close.