By Bonnie Adams, Managing Editor
Westborough – Residents who would like to do errands in town, but either don's have a car or would rather not use theirs, will soon have a new option – a shuttle bus.
The shuttle, which will be run by the Worcester Regional Transit Authority (WRTA), will also make trips back and forth from the Westborough MBTA commuter rail station located to the Computer Drive/Research Drive office parks. The service kicked off Dec. 2.
Steve O”Neil, WRTA's administrator, and John Church, a project manager with Central Mass Regional Planning Commission, updated the Westborough Economic Development Committee (EDC) on the project at the EDC's Dec. 3 meeting.
The idea of a shuttle, the men explained, had been presented to many of the town's large businesses several months ago. The reception had been positive, they said.
The shuttle's runs from the commuter station will be timed to coincide as close as possible to the incoming trains from Boston and Worcester.
Once the morning commute is over, the shuttle will be making runs up and down East and West Main streets from approximately 8:35 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. The daytime stops will include the Westborough Senior Center, Bay State Commons, Westborough Public Library, Town Offices, and Westborough High School. Residents may also “flag” down the shuttles and ask the driver to drop them off at different places along the main routes.
Church said that at this point there are no plans to have the shuttle go to the Westborough Shopping Center, where there is a Stop & Shop, Staples, and Tatnuck Bookseller, among other stores and restaurants.
“But we will be monitoring this [program] every month,” he added. “So other stops might be added in the future.”
Lester Hensley, chair of the EDC, thanked the men for their work, but added that he hoped outreach would continue to more businesses. He also noted that it would perhaps the WRTA could reach out to the town's faith-based organizations to see if the service could benefit their parishioners.
The cost will be $1.50 each way for riders age 14 and up. The elderly/disabled rate is $.75.? The rate for children ages 5-13 accompanied by an adult is also $.75 and children under age 5 can ride for free. Riders must have exact change as the driver will not be able to provide any.
The service will only run Monday through Friday; there will be no weekend service. There will also be no service on New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, or Christmas Day.
