MetroWest Regional Transit Authority will pick up door-to-door paratransit service

Once thought to be a potential hindrance to the door-to-door paratransit service known formerly as The Ride, the MetroWest Regional Transit Authority may turn out to be it's saving grace.

The MWRTA was founded in 2006, essentially supplanting the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority in the I-495 belt, an area that had "developed a pressing need for more comprehensive transit services,'' according to the group's MWRTA Web site.

That transportation reshuffle had some worried, however, that the new authority would be unable to match the efficiency and service of the MBTA's RIDE.

Concern bubbled throughout the local disabled community that The RIDE, run by the MBTA and presently serving 62 towns, would fall by the wayside. It is a crucial tool for those who cannot drive themselves. Some use it to get back and forth to work, others use the service to go grocery shopping. The RIDE's network stretches across eastern Massachusetts.

But, in response to rumors that have swirled for more than a year, Paul Spooner, executive director of the MetroWest Center for Independent Living told selectmen inside the Memorial Building's Blumer Room this week, the "sky hasn't fallen yet.''

In fact, the MWRTA is preparing to take over The RIDE service, a network that includes more than 2,000 registered riders in Natick and Framingham.

Ed Carr, administrator for the MWRTA, also put those fears to rest this week, telling selectmen his organization would match the RIDE's service.

"July 1 we become responsible,'' he said.

Ironically, the MBTA has broached the possibility of cutting down its paratransit service.

And as Spooner pointed out, the T was never legally required to offer The RIDE in Framingham and Natick, so the service, if it was still offered through the MBTA, could have been on the chopping block.

"If we didn't have the RTA we could be talking about losing the RIDE,'' said Spooner.

Selectmen Vice Chairwoman Ginger Esty read a letter at the board's meeting this week suggesting the escalating cost of paratransit services could "soon threaten the viability,'' of the MBTA's entire RIDE system.

Esty, who has been skeptical about MWRTA's ability to fund a paratransit service that would equal The RIDE, pressed Carr, asking him if the absolute same services the T offered would be made available through his organization.

Carr told selectmen the MWRTA was in the middle of the transition. Letters have been sent out to paratransit riders, letting them know to fill out some paperwork should they want to continue the service after July 1.

Some administrative red tape, like transferring cashless accounts people used to pay for the service through the MBTA, are being ironed out.

"We'll know for certain July 1,'' said Karen Dempsey, who serves on the town's Disability Commission.

The update prompted Selectman Dennis Giombetti to say he was confident the decision the town made in 2006 to support the formation of the MWRTA was the correct one.

Dan McDonald can be reached at 508-626-4416 or atdmcdonal@cnc.com.