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SD 2445

An Act relative to The Ride service of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Paul Feeney

Expands MBTA The Ride to residents within 25 miles of Boston for medical trips to Boston, with costs reimbursed by the Commonwealth Health Insurance Connector Board.

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Bill Summary · SD 2445

Summary: An Act relative to The Ride service of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (Senate Docket No. 2445)

Overview

This bill proposes to expand the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority’s (MBTA) The Ride paratransit service beyond its current service-area boundaries to include residents living within 25 miles of the city of Boston, specifically for medical-related trips to Boston. The expansion would require funding support through the Commonwealth Health Insurance Connector Board.

Purpose and Intent

  • Improve access to medical care by allowing residents of communities up to 25 miles from Boston to use The Ride service to travel to Boston for medical purposes.
  • Create a streamlined funding mechanism to cover these expanded transportation costs through state health insurance administration.

Key Provisions

  • Amend Chapter 161A by adding Section 49.
  • The MBTA (The Ride) must be made available to persons residing in any community within 25 miles of Boston for transportation to Boston for medical-related purposes.
  • The MBTA must be reimbursed for the costs of providing these services by the Commonwealth Health Insurance Connector Board (established by section 2 of Chapter 176Q).

Geographic Scope and Eligibility

  • Eligible area: any community within 25 miles of the city of Boston.
  • Purpose: medical-related transportation trips to Boston.
  • The provision focuses on medical-related travel rather than general commuting.

Funding and Reimbursement

  • Reimbursement mechanism: MBTA The Ride costs associated with the expanded service would be paid by the Commonwealth Health Insurance Connector Board.
  • This creates a state-level funding pathway to cover the additional paratransit operations generated by the expansion.

Affected Parties

  • MBTA (The Ride program) would be required to extend service.
  • Residents of eligible communities within the 25-mile radius seeking medical-related trips to Boston.
  • Commonwealth Health Insurance Connector Board would provide reimbursement for the expanded services.

Implementation and Timeline

  • The bill text indicates a formal amendment to state law and a funding mechanism, but specific implementation timelines, start dates, or phase-in periods are not detailed in the provided excerpt.
  • As a proposed bill, enactment would require passage by the General Court and signature by the Governor, followed by any required regulatory or administrative steps.

Context and Notes

  • Similar measure previously filed in a prior session (House No. 3407, 2023-2024).
  • The Ride program currently serves riders within MBTA’s area; this bill would extend eligibility to a broader geographic footprint for medical trips.

Potential Impact

  • Access: Potentially improves access to medical appointments for residents outside the immediate MBTA service area.
  • Operations: May require MBTA to adjust scheduling, staffing, and routing to accommodate increased demand.
  • Fiscal: Introduces a state-backed reimbursement obligation; actual cost impacts would depend on uptake and trip frequency.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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