MBTA Home Page Massachusetts BayTransportation Authority EN Menu HomeAccessibility on the MBTAThe RIDE The RIDE Note: On November 1, 2021, we will be reverting back to our previous booking software for The RIDE. Learn what this means for you Temporary Changes to The RIDE Updated May 29, 2021 All riders and drivers are required to wear face coverings while on MBTA vehicles, including people who are fully vaccinated. As part of the continuing effort to protect the health and safety of customers and MBTA employees, and to preserve the continuity of essential travel services, the following service changes have been made in consultation with The Riders’ Transportation Access Group, the Boston Center for Independent Living, and the Massachusetts Senior Action Council. Temporary changes effective May 29 Booking The RIDE to and from vaccination/testing sites Booking tips for in-person and drive-through sites Vaccination site accessibility Additional vaccination travel options About The RIDE The RIDE paratransit service provides door-to-door, shared-ride transportation to eligible people who can’t use the subway, bus, or trolley all or some of the time due to temporary or permanent disability. The RIDE is available year-round in fifty-eight cities and towns in the greater Boston area, with similar operating hours to the MBTA—generally from 5 AM to 1 AM daily. Travel times are comparable to the same trip taken on fixed-route (bus, subway or trolley) plus an additional 20 minutes. The RIDE is a shared service, so you’ll travel with other customers going in the same general direction. Under the ADA, paratransit functions as a “safety net” for people whose disabilities prevent them from using public transit. It is not intended to be a comprehensive system of transportation that meets all the needs of people with disabilities, nor does it function as medical or human service transportation. The RIDE Service Area Download a map of The RIDE service area Who’s eligible for The RIDE? People who have a disability (temporary or permanent) that prevents them from using traditional public transit. If you’ve had a medical emergency, your licensed healthcare provider can request thirty days of The RIDE for you that starts immediately. Out-of-town visitors with disabilities may also be eligible to use The RIDE How do I apply for The RIDE? Contact The RIDE Eligibility Center (TREC) at 617-337-2727, or email us at trec@paratransit.org. Learn more about The RIDE application process Taking a Trip on The RIDE Once you’re approved for The RIDE, you’ll need to add funds to your account. Please note that you must have sufficient funds in your RIDE account to schedule a trip. Type One-way fare per customer Local ADA $3.35 Premium non-ADA $5.60 How do I add funds? Online Phone In Person Mail Customers may bring one guest, additional guests are allowed if space is available. Personal Care Assistants (PCA) and children under the age of 11 (accompanying a customer; up to 2 children per customer) are not charged fares. Premium non-ADA fares apply if the trip origin and/or destination is greater than 3/4 miles from MBTA bus or subway service or for same-day changes, except for trip time negotiation. Your fare will be confirmed when you schedule a trip. Learn more about fares and adding funds to your account How do I book trips on The RIDE? Trips on The RIDE need to be scheduled 1-5 days in advance. Note that trips cannot be booked after 5 PM for travel the following day. Online Call Us Learn more about scheduling and changing trips on The RIDE What can I expect from The RIDE? Before you start traveling, take a few minutes to read through our policies below to learn more about what you should expect from The RIDE. What to Expect on Your Trip Find out how to get ready for your trip, what your driver can help with, what to do if you're delayed at an appointment, and more. The RIDE Policies Our policies on guests, personal items, no-shows/cancellations, and keeping your information up to date. The RIDE Guide Download a PDF version of everything you need to know about The RIDE. Other RIDE Programs The RIDE Flex Learn about the MBTA's RIDE on-demand pilot program, a partnership with ridesharing companies Uber and Lyft. Contact Us If you haven’t received a confirmation call about your trip, or if your driver hasn’t arrived after 15 minutes, please call The RIDE Access Center (TRAC) at 844-427-7433. We can locate your driver and estimate their time of arrival. Please contact MBTA Customer Support with suggestions, compliments, or complaints. The RIDE Customer Support Learn about our customer support process, faq’s, and more ways to get in contact with us. Updates to The RIDE We’re reverting back to our previous software system to improve operations and ensure reliable service. Learn more about changes to The RIDE The RIDE Flex On-demand service for wherever you go Starting July 1, The RIDE customers can book on-demand service through MBTA partners, Uber and Lyft. Learn more about The RIDE Flex Masks on the T Riders and employees are required by federal law to wear masks on all MBTA property, including vehicles, stops, and stations. See the latest mask requirements The RIDE Guide Download a PDF version of the important information that explains how to get started with The RIDE. 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