MassDOT and the Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS) have identified members for the Statewide Coordinating Council on Community Transportation (SCCCT). The group convened on June 6 for an initial planning meeting, in preparation for a public kickoff to be held in September.

The SCCCT was the principal policy recommendation of the Executive Order 530 Final Report. Issued by Governor Patrick in 2011, Executive Order 530 created a commission to look at issues of quality, cost, and efficiency of paratransit and community transportation services across Massachusetts. The commission conducted a series of public listening sessions around the state and developed a final report with recommendations based on the findings from those listening sessions.

The report includes over 60 recommendations of reforms to further advance the Governor's agenda to provide responsive, comprehensive, coordinated, and efficient community transportation systems. These recommendations cover varied topics such as facilitating transfers across transit authority service areas, exploring the feasibility of creating a statewide insurance pool for volunteer drivers, making paratransit eligibility more consistent across transit authorities, and implementing pilot programs to offer subsidies for taxi rides. The commission recommended formation of the SCCCT in order to oversee and manage implementation of the recommendations.

Aniko Laszlo, MassDOT's newly hired Statewide Mobility Manager, will provide staff support to the SCCCT, with additional assistance from MassDOT and EOHHS. SCCCT members include representatives of state agencies, Independent Living Centers, advocacy organizations, human service agencies, regional planning agencies, and transit authorities. Early activities of the SCCCT will include developing bylaws to guide its governance, laying the groundwork for a network of Regional Coordinating Councils to support the statewide work, and identifying priorities for early implementation among the many recommendations included in the report.

In June, Ways2Go launched its travel training service. Ways2Go is a collaborative effort among Door2Door by SCM, the MBTA, the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission, and the City of Cambridge Commission for Persons with Disabilities. These partnering organizations refer individuals to the Ways2Go travel training service, which is available within the MBTA service area.

Travel training can help individuals with disabilities, seniors, and others how to use public transportation independently to access their environment and community. Ways2Go offers travel training in both English and Spanish, and the program offers one-on-one training tailored to each participant's needs and goals.

Previously known as Cambridge in Motion, Ways2Go developed out of the 2009 Transportation Coordination Institute hosted by Work Without Limits and CTAA. As the program develops over time, additional organizations may join Ways2Go. To find a travel training program near you, check our list of travel instruction services or our interactive map.

Clock Tower Place employment center in Maynard is only two and a half miles from the South Acton train station, but that distance posed a barrier to employees who needed or wanted to commute by public transportation. The "last mile" problem refers to this type of challenge of connecting employment centers to transit stops that are nearby - but not close enough for commuters to use.

In his travels around Massachusetts in the past year, MassDOT Secretary Richard Davey heard about last mile challenges over and over again, so he asked MassRIDES to convene a conference to identify challenges and potential solutions. On June 5, MassRIDES brought together 56 individuals representing transit authorities, employers, Chambers of Commerce, Transportation Management Associations (TMA), regional planning agencies, shuttle services, carsharing organizations, and other stakeholders for a three-hour workshop. After a keynote from Secretary Davey and brief presentations by MassDOT, the 128 Business Council, and MassRIDES, participants discussed needs and challenges. For example, many noted that the MBTA commuter rail schedules are not conducive to reverse commutes because trains run infrequently and do not arrive or depart at normal business hours.

For the final hour, discussion shifted to focus on ideas and solutions. Many participants praised Crosstown Connect, the effort of Acton and surrounding towns to create a municipality-led TMA that coordinates employer shuttles (including the shuttle that Clock Tower Place runs between the employment center and the commuter rail station), Council on Aging vehicles, and other resources to increase mobility for commuters and residents. The group also discussed the importance of safe infrastructure to support active transportation options like biking and walking.

MassRIDES sees the June 5 event as the beginning of an ongoing dialogue. If you have questions or ideas to share about last mile needs and opportunities in Massachusetts, you may contact MassRIDES.

Spring was a fruitful time for new transit services in Massachusetts. In late April, the Southeastern Regional Transit Authority (SRTA) extended bus service hours into the evening on a number of routes. Instead of stopping at 6, bus service now lasts until 8 or 9 PM on key routes as part of a fourteen-month pilot project.

MassDOT launched the Cape Flyer in late May, offering commuter rail service from Boston to Cape Cod. The train stops in Buzzards Bay and Hyannis, with intermediate stops in Braintree and Middleborough. The Cape Flyer runs Friday through Sunday between Memorial Day and Labor Day, and bikes are allowed. Transit service from Cape Cod Regional Transit Authority is available to passengers once they arrive on the Cape.

In addition, SRTA debuted a new website in late May, and Worcester Regional Transit Authority opened its new hub at Union Station in early June.

Are you on Twitter? If so, follow us @MassMobility for links to community transportation resources relevant to organizations and agencies here in Massachusetts. If you aren't on Twitter, you can still see our posts online at twitter.com/MassMobility/.

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Check out our calendar of mobility management events and funding opportunities for Massachusetts.

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