Brookline awarded grant to assist with transportation for seniors

May 06, 2021

Town Administrator Mel Kleckner and Brookline Council on Aging Director Ruthann Dobek announced that the COA was recently awarded a $6,584 state grant to assist with medical transportation needs for seniors in town.

Funding for this grant was provided by MassDevelopment and the Metropolitan Area Planning Council. In total, approximately $2.5 million in funds were awarded to 47 communities, agencies, regional transit authorities, not-for-profits and human service providers through the Taxi, Livery, and Hackney Transportation Partnerships Grant Program.

The grant aims to help communities supplement existing transportation options, create new programs to transport individuals to work, grocery stores, non-emergency medical appointments and other destinations, and facilitate delivery of essential supplies such as food and medicine to residents in need.

Brookline has partnered with Modern Ride to facilitate non-emergency medical transportation. Transportation is available from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. Limited weekend service is provided.

The service provides rides within the town of Brookline and to select vaccination appointments and medical facilities, including the Longwood Medical Area, Massachusetts General Hospital, Mass Eye and Ear, Faulkner Hospital, Boston Medical Center, the VA Hospital and St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center.

Requests for medical transportation can be left on the Brookline Senior Center Van Reservation Line at 617-730-2750 and should be made three business days in advance of the appointment. Residents are asked to leave a message with their name, address, and phone number, along with detailed appointment information. Requests will be confirmed within 24 hours.

Additionally, the COA offers discounted rides for elderly residents on Lyft and GoGo Grandparent.

"Transportation has always been identified as an essential need by older adults, and the pandemic has highlighted the importance of safe, reliable transportation, particularly to essential medical appointments," said Dobek. "This grant has allowed the Brookline Senior Center to continue and even expand the critical medical transportation service started during this crisis."

For more information about the program, contact COA TRIPPS Coordinator Maria Foster at 617-730-2644.