Sudbury COA reports 2,500 rides, flags accessibility issues in new Uber voucher pilot

The Town of Sudbury Council on Aging heard updates Oct. 6 about a surge in Senior Center transportation use and early problems with a newly launched Uber voucher pilot. Director Nickole Boardman told the board that two town van drivers logged roughly 2,500 rides from January through September 2025 and that average daily visitors to the Senior Center rose from about 64 to 93.

The Transportation Committee report, presented as authored by Mary Brauer, said the Uber voucher program began on Sept. 1. Committee members reported a handful of technical and operational “bumps” while launching the pilot. They said the vendor’s drop-off process—using latitude and longitude rather than street addresses to protect rider privacy—has made it difficult for some riders with visual or mobile impairments to identify precise drop-off points.

Committee members also said outside interest has grown: representatives from Medford and Brookline have asked about Sudbury’s pilot. The board was told that 23 of the 30 available vouchers (priced at $30 each) have been claimed. The committee plans to meet with a representative of the MetroWest Regional Transit Authority to discuss possible MassDOT grant opportunities and route expansion.

A Transportation Fair is scheduled for Oct. 16 at the Sudbury Senior Center to raise awareness about transportation options for older residents. Board members said the committee will continue monitoring usability and equity concerns and report back on discussions with MWRTA and potential grant timelines.

Next steps: the Transportation Committee will meet with MWRTA about grant opportunities and report updates at a future COA meeting.