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MBTA may partner with Uber, Lyft for paratransit

MBTA is running a six-month pilot program for 124 patrons with disabilities allowing them to pay for private taxis using an MBTA debit card, which they may expand for use on other ride-hailing platforms.

November 30, 2015
MBTA may partner with Uber, Lyft for paratransit

MBTA

1 min to read


MBTA

BOSTON — Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) may partner with Uber and Lyft to make transit more accessible — more cheaply — to passengers with disabilities, Next City reported.

MBTA is running a six-month pilot program for 124 patrons with disabilities allowing them to pay for private taxis using an MBTA debit card. While the test was set up with taxis, MBTA officials told the Boston Globe they could also form a partnership with the on-demand ride companies, the report said.

Officials believe MBTA could save up to $16 million in the 2017 fiscal year with fuller implementation. There are currently 96,000 people eligible for MBTA's paratransit service, The Ride, at a cost of around $97 million, according to Next City.

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