What to Expect on Your Trip

• Consistent with the MBTA’s decision to remove capacity restrictions from vehicles, ridesharing has been fully reintroduced as of May 29, 2021. 
• The RIDE Eligibility Center (TREC)is closed for in-person appointments until further notice. All interaction with TREC, including ADA Visitor Requests, will be conducted during business hours over the phone. 
• Booking windows have been adjusted. As of May 29, RIDE customers need to book trips 1 – 5 days in advance.

Learn more about these changes

The RIDE customers can book trips to travel to and from their vaccination or testing appointments.

We recommend customers book two trips on The RIDE—one for your drop off at the site, and one for your return trip.

Booking the day before: Schedule a trip online or call 844-427-7433.

Booking with flexibility: The RIDE Flex* with Uber and Lyft enables customers to book trips within minutes of needing them. 

*The RIDE Flex is a pilot program available to all eligible RIDE customers. It includes options to:

• Request a Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle (WAV)
• Order trips with or without a smartphone
• Sign up and be approved within 2 business days (including switching providers)

Learn more about The RIDE Flex

For in-person vaccination and testing sites:

• To be dropped off, schedule your trip based on your appointment time. Leave some extra time in case of delays.
• For your return trip, please allow extra time as the site may require you remain there for observation.

For drive-through vaccination and testing sites:

Please note that The RIDE vehicles will not stay at the site during your vaccination or test.

• Confirm with the site in advance that you can be vaccinated or tested without a vehicle.
• Since customers cannot stay in the vehicle, follow the same booking tips as you would for an in-person site.

All Massachusetts vaccine sites offer:

• Accessible entrances
• Waiting areas with seating available before and after vaccine appointments
• Staff available for mobility assistance and direction
• Accessible pick-up and drop-off areas
• Wheelchairs provided on-site

In-home Vaccination Programs

In-home vaccination programs offered by the state may be available to people unable to leave their home.

Learn more about in-home vaccination programs

Riders can also check with their local board of health or council on aging, as some municipalities are operating local homebound vaccination programs as well.

Mass Health Transportation

All MassHealth members are eligible for transportation to and from vaccine sites. Members who normally have access to transportation can ask their doctor to submit a vaccine transportation request on their behalf.

Call the MassHealth Customer Service Center at 800-841-2900.

RideMatch

RideMatch assists users in finding public and private transportation options in their community.

Learn more about RideMatch

Call 844-427-7433 to locate the vehicle or estimate its time of arrival. 

If you’re able to walk, but use a manual wheelchair or walker, the driver will collapse and store it in the cargo area once you’re on board. The driver can help you get over 1 curb and 1 step, but can’t carry you or your mobility device.

Your driver will offer you the optional use of an MBTA body belt when they greet you. They’ll also explain how they will fasten and unfasten seat belts on the vehicle’s wheelchair/scooter securement system.

If you use a support cane, you can choose to hold it or store it in the cargo area. You can’t store it on the floor of the vehicle. If you use a red or white cane that collapses, you may collapse it and keep it with you.