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Somerville’s senior taxi program moved to operating budget; councilors press for outreach and discuss senior liaison role
Summary
Director Ashley Spelliotis told the committee that Somerville’s senior taxi program now runs on city operating funds (about $10,000 per month), supports roughly 600 rides per month, and sets limits of one routine medical ride per week and two food/pharmacy trips per month per rider.
Director Ashley Spelliotis presented the Council on Aging’s transportation program in response to Order 250041 and described the department’s ongoing services and constraints.
Spelliotis said Somerville’s senior taxi program provides door‑to‑door rides for Somerville residents aged 60 and over and for people under 60 with a permanent disability. The program offers rides for medical appointments and to food sources within Somerville. “Typically … 27% of our rides of the roughly 600 rides we provide a month is for food access. 65 to 70% of the rides are for routine medical care,” Spelliotis said. She said the taxi program transitioned from grant funding to the city operating budget and…
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