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The RIDE

the ride rowes wharf

About The RIDE

The RIDE paratransit service provides door-to-door, shared-ride public transportation to 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 58 cities and towns in the greater Boston area, with similar operating hours to the MBTA—generally from 5 AM to 1 AM daily. Customers schedule their trips on The RIDE one to five days in advance and are given a pick-up window for their ride’s arrival. Travel times are comparable to the same trip taken on fixed-route transit (bus, subway, or trolley) plus an additional 20 minutes. Like other public transit services, The RIDE is a shared service, so you’ll travel with other customers going in the same general direction.  

Paratransit, like other public transportation services, may not meet all the needs of people with disabilities, and it does not function as medical or human service transportation. For information about alternative transportation options, please contact the Mobility Center.

Note: RIDE customers enrolled in the senior or income-eligible reduced fare programs can receive discounts on ADA/standard and Premium trips.

Learn more about reduced fares on The RIDE

Text The RIDE

RIDE customers can text 781-980-RIDE (7433) to check the arrival time for their trip, see a list of upcoming trips, check their account balance, or cancel a trip without having to call The RIDE Access Center (TRAC).

If you text from a number associated with your RIDE account, you’ll automatically get information. If you text from a different number, you will be prompted to log in by responding with your RIDE ID and birth date (MM/DD/YYYY).

Text this phrase to

781-980-RIDE (7433): 

To get: 
Text this phrase to781-980-RIDE (7433): ETA To get: Estimated time of arrival for your pick-up 
Text this phrase to781-980-RIDE (7433): Trips To get: A list of upcoming scheduled trips 
Text this phrase to781-980-RIDE (7433): Balance To get: How much money is in your RIDE account 
Text this phrase to781-980-RIDE (7433): Cancel To get: Prompts to cancel trips 

Receive Text Messages About Your Trip

You can also receive your night before and day-of trip notifications by text message. Day-of text messages include a Ride Along link to track your vehicle's arrival in real time.

Text “Subscribe” to 781-980-RIDE (7433) from a phone number in your RIDE account to sign up. If you text “Subscribe” from a different number, you will be prompted to log in by responding with your RIDE ID and birth date (MM/DD/YYYY). 

If you’d like to update your contact information, please call 617-865-1643 or use this form.

The Mobility Center

Not sure where to start? Call the Mobility Center to learn more about accessible transit options, including The RIDE.

Visit the Mobility Center

Reduced Fares on The RIDE

If you're enrolled in the senior or income-eligible reduced fare program, you can receive discounts on ADA/standard and Premium trips with the RIDE.

Learn how to get reduced RIDE fares

How to Update Your Contact Information

Need Help?

If you are experiencing a health or safety emergency, please call 911.

For help scheduling a trip, or if your driver does not arrive during your pick-up window, call The RIDE Access Center (TRAC) at 844-427-7433. Phones are staffed during The RIDE's hours of operation. Reservationists are available to schedule trips 8:30 AM – 5 PM daily.

Contact MBTA Customer Support at 617-222-3200 or 711 for TTY callers; VRS for ASL callers, if you have suggestions, compliments, or complaints. Phones are staffed Monday - Friday: 6:30 AM - 8 PM and Saturday - Sunday: 8 AM - 4 PM.

The RIDE Flex

Learn more about The RIDE Flex

Other RIDE Programs

Get Involved

The Mobility Center

Not sure where to start? Call the Mobility Center to learn more about accessible transit options, including The RIDE.

Visit the Mobility Center

Reduced Fares on The RIDE

If you're enrolled in the senior or income-eligible reduced fare program, you can receive discounts on ADA/standard and Premium trips with the RIDE.

Learn how to get reduced RIDE fares

Need Help?

If you are experiencing a health or safety emergency, please call 911.

For help scheduling a trip, or if your driver does not arrive during your pick-up window, call The RIDE Access Center (TRAC) at 844-427-7433. Phones are staffed during The RIDE's hours of operation. Reservationists are available to schedule trips 8:30 AM – 5 PM daily.

Contact MBTA Customer Support at 617-222-3200 or 711 for TTY callers; VRS for ASL callers, if you have suggestions, compliments, or complaints. Phones are staffed Monday - Friday: 6:30 AM - 8 PM and Saturday - Sunday: 8 AM - 4 PM.

The RIDE Flex

Learn more about The RIDE Flex