Burlington Town Meeting Okays Taxi/Rideshare Subsidy Pilot

BURLINGTON, MA — Town meeting members approved a $50,000 pilot program of subsidizing taxi, Lyft, Uber and "GoGoGrandparent" rides for elderly, disabled and low-income individuals, in place of the B-Line bus service. Public Works Director John Sanchez said that the B-Line bus sees as few as 40 riders per day, and subsidizing rides could cost the town less while serving more people. The proposal got significant pushback from members, but ended up passing fairly easily.

"It'll probably break even as far as the town is paying for the service, but it'll definitely provide a better service for our users," said Sanchez. The $50,000 will come out of existing B-Line funds. The B-Line is set to shut down next year.

One resident who regularly rides the B-Line bus said that not everyone has a smart phone to call Ubers and Lyfts, and the town does not have enough taxis to always meet demand. Meeting members also worried that replacing the bus with personal vehicles would increase traffic and that the criteria for subsidies is too narrow.

"GoGoGrandparent" is a company that orders and monitors Uber and Lyft rides for people without smartphones, with a surcharge.

Members also overwhelmingly approved an amendment to zoning bylaws allowing the Nordblom Company to build 300 additional residential units at its Northwest Park Development District, including 42 affordable units. The approval is only one step in the process, said Nordblom representatives; they will also need to get the project permitted.

Members voted down an article requested by meeting member Myrna Ann Saltman which would have changed the way vacancies are filled. All other articles passed, including funding for the recently-negotiated police contract.