FAQ

(MWRTA) MetroWest Regional Transit Authority was formed in 2006 by the state legislature to help serve the public transportation needs of the 32-town corridor known as the I-495/MetroWest corridor.

MWRTA is funded by Federal and State Agencies, local assessments and fare box recovery. Its initial funding is close to $3 million.

MWRTA is responsible for fixed bus routes and para-transit routes, which mimic the normal bus routes, but provide a smaller bus with lift capability for the disabled and physically challenged individual. Para-transit transportation is a shared ride, origin to destination service required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

We want to hear from you! Send us an email at info@mwrta.com, visit www.mwrta.com/information/contact, or call us at (508) 935-2222.

MWRTA is governed by an advisory board of representatives from the communities it serves with one representative from the disabled community.

Yes, right now we have contracts with Kiessling Transit, for providing both our fixed route service, ADA paratransit service, and Dial a Ride service in several towns.

The MWRTA Fixed Route systems will not provide service on the following Holidays: New Year’s Day, Easter, Patriot's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgivings Day, and Christmas Day.

The MW Ride service operates 365 days a year. Please call the MWRTA Call Center at (508) 820-4650 for more details, or Customer Service at (508) 935-2222.

Please visit www.mwrta.com/holidays for full details on holiday service. 

To view list of MWRTA Programs and their descriptions, please click here.

Para-transit transportation is a shared ride, origin to destination service required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

The cost is $2.00 per trip, within the MWRTA Framingham/ Natick service area. Transfers will require an additional cost.

No, you must have a separate account with the MWRTA

The MWRTA actually provides paratransit beyond the minimum requirements of the ADA. It does this through the Councils on Aging and through the MW RIDE program.

The MBTA sent a letter to all Framingham and Natick riders with a form to be returned to their office. If you returned the form to the MBTA, you will not need to re-register.

Yes. You will keep the same ID#.

Riders coming from Boston will remain MBTA RIDE customers. They may transfer from the MBTA RIDE Service Area to the MW RIDE Service Area.

Yes.

This service isn't available yet, but will be offered eventually.

The vehicles are a fleet of vans similar to the ones in use by the MBTA.

The transition occurred on July 1, 2009.

The phone number for the MetroWest RIDE Call Center is 508-820-4650.

The hours of operation are 8am to 4pm; 7 days a week.

Contact the MBTA at 1-800-533-6282, or TTY (617) 222-5415. You may also call the MetroWest Call Center at 508-820-4650

No. In fact riders who travel into the MBTA area regularly, are encouraged to maintain their MBTA debit account.

Trips to Boston from Framingham and Natick will require a transfer.

No, the Call Center will make arrangements for both parts of the trip.

Funds in your MBTA account can’t legally be transferred to the MWRTA. You must contact the MBTA and ask that the money be refunded to you. If you plan on taking trips into the MBTA RIDE areas, you should leave some money in the MBTA account. You will also need to set up an account with The MW RIDE.

Yes, the service is door to door.

The training is the same as the MBTA’s training.

Some Joint Venture drivers have come to the MW RIDE, others are new.

Because the MWRTA is much smaller than the MBTA, the Board created a Consumer Advisory Committee to provide feedback regarding all ridership issues. There is also an ad hoc Task Force to oversee the transition period of the RIDE.

Complaints are lodged with the MWRTA. There is a form, available from the MWRTA, that can be filled out and mailed in, or the complaint may be given to an MWRTA Staff person over the phone. Every complaint will be investigated and the rider will then be contacted promptly.

Those who wish to become MW RIDE customers must fill out an ADA application available from the MWRTA office. The form is similar to the form used by the MBTA RIDE. Please call 508-820-4650 to request an application.

Customers registered with the MBTA RIDE, before July 1, 2009, will be provided the same service that was previously provided by the MBTA RIDE service. New customers that registered ADA eligible after July 1, 2009, with the MW RIDE will be provided service in line with ADA rules and regulations.

The MW RIDE services Framingham and Natick and connects with the MBTA RIDE for trips into the MBTA service areas.

Riders will pay their fares through a debit system similar to the MBTA debit system. You must set up an account with the MWRTA. Money can be added to the account via a check mailed to the RTA or by credit card, on-line at the RTA website. Please go to the MetroWest RIDE tab for details on how to manage your account on-line.