Newton Introduces Ride Share For Seniors Around City For $5 Each

NEWTON, MA — Beginning Monday the city is introducing a government subsidized ride share program with rides as low as 50 cents for senior citizens making trips around the city. The Uber for seniors is called Newton in Motion, or "NewMo" and replaces the taxi voucher system that required passengers make reservations at least 72 hours ahead of time with Veteran's Taxi.

But unlike Lyft or Uber, seniors can call a number in addition to reserving a ride on their smart phone. And a driver will be there within 5 to 30 minutes of the request, according to a release. Officials estimate that the service will provide more than 25,000 trips in its first year.

City hall has teamed up with the company Via, to do this. The company provides the on-demand, easily identifiable vehicles and vetted drivers who can walk passengers to their doors upon request. And the service aims to get people to and from the senior center, villages, medical appointments and to specified destinations, primarily in Newton, reliably.

“I want seniors to be able to stay in Newton and thrive. Reliable, safe, affordable transportation is a key to giving people options for staying involved in their community as they phase out driving. This is a ground-breaking program that I really think can be a game-changer,” said Mayor Ruthanne Fuller in a release.

City officials are calling the on demand transportation a micro-transit service, which may be the first of its kind in the state. New riders will need to contact the senior center to sign up, there the city will verify that you're a Newton resident and that you're over 60. It will also give them a chance to help make sure seniors are aware of other services the city provides. All riders will be charged $5 per ride. If you have a Massachusetts health benefit it's 50 cents per ride.

Newton Department Senior Services Director Jayne Colino said ahead of the change some 200 people have signed up for the program, including 50 people who weren't previously signed up to use Veteran's.

“We’re looking at this as a hopeful new model for how to keep seniors engaged in the community through transportation," said Colino in a phone interview.

Seniors can book a trip in real time using the Via app on (iOS and Android) on their smart phone or with a phone call (617-655-8019). Most rides will cost a flat rate of $5. For those enrolled in special services, such as Mass Health, or using food stamps, the rate will be 50 cents.

The company says it will be able to create a route to pick up multiple passengers along the way for quick and efficient shared trips without lengthy detours, or fixed routes and schedules.

They describe it as an affordable, convenient and comfortable solution for seniors. They also tout it as a way to provide a social experience for seniors.

"We have increasingly seen cities and towns ask how they can provide their residents with public transportation that radically improves the customer experience, and yet still achieves the same environmental and congestion-reducing benefits of mass transit solutions," said Daniel Ramot, co-founder of Via in a statement. "Via’s sophisticated on-demand transit technology is that solution."

The service will run Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., just like with Veteran's Taxi, and Saturdays and Sundays 9 a.m. to noon.

Patch reporter Jenna Fisher can be reached at Jenna.Fisher@patch.com or by calling 617-942-0474. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram (@ReporterJenna).