Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Senior Transportation topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Needham staff say MassDOT grant signed to keep GoGo medical transport running; questions raised about late-van use
Summary
Staff reported final spending of an MCOA transportation grant and a newly signed MassDOT contract intended to keep the GoGo medical-transport service operating. Committee members raised concerns about low late-van usage and a 48‑hour reservation requirement that may limit ridership.
A staff member told the committee the senior center finalized spending on an MCOA grant for transportation and signed a Massachusetts Department of Transportation contract this week to continue the GoGo medical-transportation service.
"We did ... spend the MCOA grant for transportation and just signed the contract this week to start with the MassDOT grant for transportation, to keep GoGo going, for medical transportation," the staff member said.
Committee members said usage has fluctuated and raised two operational issues: low take-up of a later van/late-bus service and a 48‑hour advance reservation requirement for rides. A committee member said the 48‑hour notice may be too inflexible for senior riders who decide to attend on short notice, and asked staff to investigate whether the rule or scheduling can be adjusted.
Staff said they will meet with the transportation coordinator (Stephon/Stefan) to assess driver scheduling and whether a later van can be sustained without causing morning-run conflicts. Stefan (identified in discussion as a driver/staff member) was cited as the person staff will consult on operational impact.
The report also said the department has leads on fall interns to help address staff shortages and that the center remains a SNAP partner for another year pending program developments.
No formal committee vote was recorded on the grants; staff described the MassDOT agreement as executed and the MCOA grant fully spent.
