Most volunteer driver programs focus on providing transportation to medical appointments. Programs like TRIP Metro North, which reimburse drivers for any trip purpose, are unusual. However, a new volunteer driver program from Massachusetts Advocates Standing Strong (MASS) focuses on providing trips that support consumers in becoming more active in civic and community engagement. Under a New Freedom grant, MASS is working to launch a program that will match riders with intellectual and developmental disabilities to volunteer drivers who will support and accompany them to public meetings such as human rights meetings, citizen advisory boards, and self-advocacy meetings. For more information about this program - or to learn how to volunteer or enroll - contact John Dale at (617) 624-7713 or johnd.mass.office@gmail.com.

On August 6, human service agency staff, workforce development professionals, and transportation advocates from around the North Shore convened in Beverly for a day-long symposium on the importance of increasing mobility options to meet the needs of all community members - not just those who can drive their own cars. Keynote speaker Mark Fenton emphasized the connections between mobility and health across the lifespan, noting that livable communities encourage physical activity among youth while also enabling seniors to be active in community life and avoid isolation. Throughout the day, a panel presentation and small group discussions offered participants opportunities to expand on the themes of mobility, accessibility, and inclusive communities. The group considered how town and city planners can help foster livable communities, as well as the role technology can play in expanding mobility.

The event was sponsored by Greater Lynn Senior Services and the North Shore Career Center, both of which are members of the Aging and Disability Resource Consortium of the Greater North Shore. As the day wound down, the sponsoring organizations invited participants to think about how they would like to remain involved in efforts to collaborate in the North Shore around continuing the important work of strengthening mobility for all residents.

MassDOT announced in July that all Regional Transit Authority (RTA) fixed route services, as well as MBTA routes, are now available through Google Transit. Google Transit is a trip planning tool. Users enter their starting point and their destination, and Google Transit suggests bus, subway, and train routes between the two points. MassRIDES partnered with Bridgewater State University to help RTAs that had not already entered their data into Google Transit to format and upload their route data. Visit transit.google.com to get directions on how to use bus and subway networks to travel within and among Massachusetts cities and towns, or visit maps.google.com and click the bus icon under "Get Directions."

In July, the Legislature overrode a veto from Governor Patrick to pass transportation financing reform. This law dedicates new tax revenues on the sale of gasoline and cigarettes and on computer software services to provide additional funding to transportation. In addition, the law requires Regional Transit Authorities to develop comprehensive regional transit plans in partnership with stakeholders such as the local Regional Planning Agency, MassDOT, employers, labor, and riders. The law also caps the MBTA from raising fares more than once every two years at a rate of five percent annually. The full text of the law is available online.

After launching their travel training program earlier this summer, Ways2Go is expanding. If you or someone you know is interested in a part-time position helping people with disabilities, seniors, and others learn how to ride the MBTA bus and subway systems independently, check out this job posting.

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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