HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-10-25-COA-min (Age Friendly Working Group) Lexington Council on Aging Age Friendly Meeting
Date: October 29, 2025
Location: Online
Time: 3:00 PM
COA: Ellen Cameron (acting chair), Sue Rockwell, Bonnie Teitleman-Levin,
Sudhir Jain, Sandra Hackman
Staff: Senior services director Michelle Kelleher; Lexington transportation
manager Susan Barrett, intern Fran Servello
Ellen called the meeting to order at 3.05 PM and took attendance.
Intergenerational Walking School Bus Program
Ms. Barrett provided an overview of her role as transportation manager, which
includes overseeing the L'Express bus system, serving as the Town's member of
the MBTA board, and promoting Safe Routes to School initiatives. She also
participates in the Town's Transportation Safety Group, where she advocates for
residents with disabilities, and attends meetings of the Lexington Transportation
Advisory Committee and the Bicycle Advisory Committee. She has filled her role
since 2018.
The Town is launching an intergenerational walking school bus program aimed at
building community connections and encouraging physical activity among older
adults and children. Participation will require background checks. A similar
program in Arlington runs weekly and requires two adults on every walk.
Uber/Lyft training sessions and a new MBTA Mobility Center presentation are
scheduled for November 5, with in-person and Zoom options.
Senior Transportation Options
Ms. Barrett met with Mr. Jain regarding extending subsidies for Uber and Lyft to
seniors who do not have access to emergency transportation, especially on
weekends.
He raised concerns about eligibility requirements and booking restrictions for The
RIDE. The latter offers door-to-door service, but must be booked a week ahead.
FlexRide gives Ride participants the option to use Lyft and Uber if they cannot
use public transit owing to physical, mental, or cognitive impairments. Riders pay
$3, The Ride covers up to $40 per trip, and the rider pays the balance if the cost
exceeds $43.
Users can call the ride apps to use this service rather than booking ahead. The
more riders use this service, the more trips they have access to each month.
Ms. Cameron noted that FlexRide could be a useful option for seniors who need
on-demand transportation. However, users must first qualify for The Ride.
Ms. Barrett emphasized the importance of targeting any new Town-funded Uber
and Lyft subsidies to seniors who are not eligible for The RIDE but who struggle
to get around. That would avoid incentivizing able-bodied seniors to use
rideshare services instead of public transit.
She also wants to target individuals with financial constraints. A more extensive
program for all seniors would require a cost-prohibitive increase in the number of
rides compared with the Town's current taxi subsidy program.
She has had no requests for transportation assistance beyond those already
available. That said, she would like to meet people who are on the edge
regarding emergency transportation. Such individuals would typically need a
range of services, which she could help arrange—she doesn't want to leave
anyone behind.
Ms. Barrett would like to develop a first-mile, last-mile program for people who
cannot walk to L'Express routes, in collaboration with The Ride, MBTA, and state
officials. She encouraged seniors to join the Riders Transportation Access Group
to provide feedback on The Ride.
The state Department of Public Utilities tracks TNC trips and fees.
Parking Pass Renewals
Michelle reported that parking pass renewals have begun, with both online and
in-person options. Some 52 percent of pass holders have renewed so far. The
Town's online system for handling the requests has been successful but costly,
as the need for staff time is considerable.
The meeting adjourned at 4:03 PM.
Next meeting November 19, 3-4 PM online.
Sandra Hackman