Transportation Services
The Transportation Services assist and provide residents access to public transportation with door-to-door trips within the Town and adjacent towns. Acton's paratransit (door-to-door) service is dispatched Monday through Friday, providing trips for Seniors, People With Disabilities, Special Populations, and the General Public. Trips can be booked by calling CrossTown Connect dispatch at 978-844-6809 any time between 8:30 AM and 4:00 PM.
Fixed Route services for the community are also provided. Acton’s Rail Shuttle connects two off-site parking lots to the South Acton Commuter Rail Station. The Cross-Acton Transit (CAT) connects housing complexes within the town to the business centers in Kelly’s Corner, West Acton Village, and along Great Road. There are also stops at the Town Hall and South Acton Commuter Rail Station. View the CAT schedule below (click to download).
Acton Food Pantry & Market Basket Shopping Trips:
Please view the schedule at the link below.
Note: Acton's Rail Shuttle service is currently suspended.
More information regarding Acton’s transportation services can be found at http://www.crosstownconnect.org.
Other transportation resources:
MBTA Commuter Rail Schedule - https://www.mbta.com/schedules/CR-Fitchburg/timetable
Lowell Regional Transit Authority - http://www.lrta.com/
ANNOUNCING THE ACTON RIDES TAXI PROGRAM
We are pleased to announce the Acton Rides Taxi program effective 9/1/23. This is a temporary, grant-funded program.
The Acton Rides Taxi Program is a temporary, grant-funded, fully subsidized transportation program. We have contracted with two private taxi companies to provide taxi rides, which are fully subsidized by the Town of Acton. The objective of the program is to provide a supplemental option for rides for those in need when Acton’s public transit service is not running or is inadequate thereby increasing the mobility of our vulnerable populations.
Who may use the Acton Rides Taxi Program?
Acton Residents who meet one of the following criteria:
- 50 years of age or older
- 18 years of age or older with a disability that limits driving
- 18 years of age or older with financial need
- Active Duty military, Reserves, National Guard, or Veteran of the armed forces
- Note: if you do not meet any of the above criteria, you are ineligible for this program.
Where can I go?
All rides must begin or end in the Town of Acton. Rides are available within 25 miles which means that Acton residents can use this service to reach even medical appointments in Boston.
You can use the Taxi Service to book rides when Acton’s public transit system is not available. Rides can be booked during these hours: Monday-Friday, 3pm-11pm; Saturday-Sunday, 7am-9pm.
Rides can be booked to any destination other than the airport as long as it there is no conflict with the listed limitations below:
Limitations
- There is a limit of six (6), one-way rides per month and a limit of two (2) one-way rides per day.
- This is not an on-demand ride service.
- We do not go to the airport.
- People who have undergone a medical procedure where they have received general, monitored or regional anesthesia are not eligible for that ride, consistent with taxi and livery company standard policies.
- Taxi cabs are not equipped for non-emergency medical transport of individuals who need assistance due to physical or mental impairment. The drivers have little to no training or experience in transportation people who may need special accommodations due to medical conditions or disabilities.
- Taxi cab drivers will not be able to stay with an individual after their ride.
Approved reasons for rides:
- Essential medical services including appointments, filling prescriptions & obtaining medical supplies
- Essential food and home services including grocery, food pantry, hardware, super stores etc.
- Employment when no other options are available
- Social/Cultural/Educational when no other options are available
- Note: All approved reasons for rides are still subject to monthly ride limitations
What will I pay?
All rides are currently fully subsidized; there is no charge to use the service due to grant funding secured by the Town of Acton. Once the funding has been used up, the program will end.
How will I become eligible to participate in Acton Rides Taxi Program?
Before you can book a ride, you must complete an application for the program. Those interested in using the program should not contact CrossTownConnect (CTC) Dispatch until they receive official notification via email that they are approved for the program. Failure to adhere to these rules may cause a suspension in eligibility to utilize the program. To apply, follow these steps:
- Complete an application. You must provide an email address which you check regularly. If you need a support person's help with this, that is fine.
- Once you receive official approval via email, you can book rides with CTC Dispatch. Rides must be booked a minimum of 24 hours in advance.
- Contacting the taxi companies directly to schedule the ride is not permitted.
- Bringing unapproved riders is not permitted. Bringing a support companion is fine as long as this is indicated at the time of booking.
- Be ready at your scheduled departure time so that the next rider is not delayed.
- Ride safely with seatbelts on and be sure to thank the driver! Without them, we won’t have this program.
If you have questions, need assistance with completing the application or any other questions or concerns, please send them to transportation@actonma.gov or call 978-929-6611.
How will I book a taxi ride?
The CrossTown Connect (CTC) Dispatch Call Center arranges rides for Acton Rides Taxi Program as follows:
- Rides are booked on a first come, first serve basis; requesting a ride does not guarantee a ride is available at your desired day or time.
- Rides must be booked with dispatch at least 24 hours in advance of a ride
- CTC Dispatching hours are Monday to Friday 8:30 AM – 4:00 PM
- CTC Phone Number: 978-844-6809
- Note: This is not an on-demand ride service; rides must be booked in advance. You can book a ride for an evening or a weekend; however, CTC Dispatch is not open evenings or weekends.
Please Note: All riders are responsible for understanding and following the Transportation Policies and Procedures outlined in the Application for the program. Failure to comply with the policies and procedures outline in your application may result in suspension from the program.
Application for participation in Acton Rides Taxi Program
CrossTown Connect
Acton is one of the founding members of CrossTown Connect. CrossTown Connect operates in the participating communities of Acton, Boxborough, Concord, Littleton, Maynard, Sudbury, and Westford. The goal of CrossTown Connect is to:
- Create a community consciousness regarding traffic, transportation and related matters among both the residents and the business sector.
- Provide leadership in combining area resources to maximize mobility within and access to the communities.
- Coordinate a network of transportation resources to effectively move people
- Enhance the area’s economic vitality while minimizing the impact of development
Make the most efficient use of nearby public transportation services.
What we do
- CrossTown Connect offers key programs that improve mobility in the region and works to give members a voice on transportation policies, legislation, and projects. Programs include:
- Working closely with public agencies and stakeholders
- Establishing employee transportation networks
- Advocating for resources and legislation
- Facilitating “last mile” connections
- Providing commuter services such as ride-matching, an emergency ride home program, and active commuting options
- Marketing programs to increase participation
- Working to decrease traffic congestion and improve mobility across the region
- Facilitating local economic development while minimizing the impacts of that development on the transportation infrastructure
- Develop local transportation services and programs to meet the needs of members
- Reduce mobile source emissions to improve air quality and the environment
- Serve as a conduit between communities and businesses to facilitate compliance with zoning ordinances
Other resources:
http://www.crosstown-connect.org/
http://www.mrta.us/routes-schedules/littleton-westford-commuter-rail-shuttle
http://www.massdot.state.ma.us/
https://www.townofmaynard-ma.gov/shuttle/
Title VI Rights and Protections for Town of Acton Transportation
The Town of Acton follows the Title VI rights & protections as laid out by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) as follows:
The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) complies with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, or national origin (including limited English proficiency). Related federal and state nondiscrimination laws prohibit discrimination on the basis of age, sex, disability, and additional protected characteristics. MassDOT is committed to nondiscrimination in all activities.
Individuals who believe they have been discriminated against may file a complaint with MassDOT at:
MassDOT Title VI Specialist
Office of Diversity and Civil Rights – Title VI Unit
10 Park Plaza, Suite 3800
Boston, MA 02116
Phone: (857) 368‐8580 or 7‐1‐1 for Relay Service
Send an email
Complaints may also be filed directly with the United States Department of Transportation at:
U.S. Department of Transportation
Office of Civil Rights
1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
Washington, DC 20590
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CrossTown Connect
Need a ride from CrossTown Connect? Call Dispatch: 978-844-6809