On-Demand Transit Expands In Marlborough, Hudson: MWRTA

MARLBOROUGH, MA — A relatively new form of public transportation in the area will expand starting June 26, offering on-demand rides in parts of Marlborough and Hudson during weekday hours.

The MetroWest Regional Transit Authority began offering its Catch Connect service in Marlborough and Hudson in June 2022, but only on Saturdays. Starting Monday, the service will be available between 6:45 a.m. and 6:45 p.m. on weekdays in an area covering Hudson and a portion of Marlborough north of the downtown area.

The Catch Connect service works similar to rideshare services like Uber and Lyft: riders use a phone app to select a pickup time and location. Once set, a van arrives at the pickup location at the appointed time and takes the rider to their destination.

In Marlborough and Hudson, Catch Connect can be used to connect to the MWRTA Route 15 bus, which travels from downtown Marlborough to the Shops at Highland Commons in Hudson. From downtown Marlborough, riders can transfer to routes 7 and 7C, offering trips to the Solomon Pond Mall, down Route 20 to near Sudbury and to the MWRTA hub in downtown Framingham.

MWRTA rolled out Catch Connect in Wellesley in February 2021, and then expanded to Natick and Framingham in August 2021.