The Newton Beacon recently reported that Newton is replacing its NewMo transportation service with GoGo Newton. It failed to mention that GoGo Newton is markedly different in both scope and price.
NewMo offered rides anywhere in Newton for a flat rate of $3 for seniors or people living with disabilities, and $1 for those who were low-income.
GoGo will provide transportation – like Uber and Lyft – to an expanded area, including Boston hospitals, but at a significant cost to the rider. The cost of the ride will depend on distance, time of day and traffic. In addition, though partially subsidized (the subsidy is based on income), the rider will now pay more than before no matter how short the trip.
In addition, the city has placed caps on the number of GoGo rides which can be partially subsidized each month. NewMo’s website does not indicate there are any caps. As a senior, I will have to decide how I want to use my one-way trips – go to doctor’s appointments, grocery shopping or take classes at the senior center. Before the rides were $3.
Though GoGo has a much greater service area and is available 24/7, there are significant financial costs to those eligible for this service. This switch to GoGo Newton is reducing support to seniors, disabled and low-income families. I would have hoped that the city could have found a way to help the most vulnerable in our city.
Kathy Laufer
West Newton