Central Mass. pandemic transportation initiatives win $330K

December 03, 2020

Eight transportation initiatives in Central Massachusetts aimed at helping people get around during the coronavirus pandemic have won a combined $330,000 in state funding.

The projects are part of more than $1 million given to 25 communities or regional transit authorities meant to support transportation and delivery needs for vulnerable groups during the pandemic, including seniors and those with food insecurity challenges. The funding was given by MassDevelopment, the state's finance and development agency.

The eight recipients in Central Massachusetts:

• City of Framingham, $19,500: to contract with Tommy’s Taxi to facilitate meal deliveries and food pantry deliveries.
• City of Marlborough, $29,484: to contract with Bill's Taxi to facilitate meal deliveries and grocery or other essential shopping trips.
• MetroWest Regional Transit Authority, $176,842: to contract with Tommy's Taxi and JFK Transportation to facilitate prescription deliveries, meal deliveries, food pantry deliveries, grocery or other essential shopping trips, non-COVID-related non-emergency medical transportation, transportation needs of the homeless, and workforce transportation for essential workers.
• Town of Natick Council on Aging, $32,472: to contract with JFK Transportation to facilitate non-COVID-related non-emergency medical transportation.
• Town of Sherborn, $11,550: to contract with JFK Transportation to facilitate prescription deliveries, grocery or other essential shopping trips, and non-COVID-related non-emergency medical transportation.
• Town of Sudbury, $19,188: to contract with Tommy’s Taxi and JFK Transportation to facilitate grocery or other essential shopping trips, non-COVID-related non-emergency medical transportation, and workforce transportation for essential workers.
• Wayland Council on Aging, $18,060: to contract with Tommy’s Taxi and JFK Transportation to facilitate food pantry deliveries, non-COVID-related non-emergency medical transportation, and grocery or other essential shopping trips.
• Worcester Regional Transit Authority, $23,250: to contract with New Worcester Yellow Cab to facilitate grocery or other essential shopping trips, non-COVID-related.