It’s a yearly ritual: the Board of Finance cuts funds for the Westport Transit District. And every year, the WTD appeals to the Representative Town Meeting for restoration.
This year, there’s a new twist.
Despite the possible loss of funding for Wheels2U, the WTD is adding new hours and destinations to the curb-to-train station, on-demand commuter shuttle.
In addition to its normal operating hours (5:45 to 10:30 a.m., 4 to 9:30 p.m.), riders will now be able to go from anywhere in Westport to the Senior Center, Farmers’ Market and Jesup Green.
Rides begin at 9 a.m. and last through 1:30 p.m. on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. The fare is $2 per ride.
Users should book a ride 20 minutes before they would normally leave for their destination. Once the ride is booked, they will receive an estimated time of arrival, and can track the minivan (like Uber) on the Wheels2U app. Riders must be able to meet the minivan at the curb.
Wheelchair-accessible vehicles are available by request in the app. Riders requiring door-to-door assistance should continue using Westport’s services for the elderly and people with disabilities. Click here for details.
Though excited about the expansion, WTD co-director Peter Gold cautions that
funding for Wheels2U may end June 30. If the RTM does not restore funding, the one-year pilot program will end too.
For more information on Wheels2U, click here.
Peter G., I hope funding gets restored by the RTM as usual.
In the meantime, you really should update the wheels2U.org website to tout these new destinations. AFAs I can tell, there’s no mention of this anywhere (not even a press release) on the site.
A reading from the FAQ:
“Wheels2U Westport only operates between locations in Westport and the Saugatuck and Greens Farms train stations. “
I hope the RTM restores the funding for Wheels2U as well!
We are in the process of updating the websitte to reflect the new service. Stay tuned; it will be finished before the service goes live on May 13.
this is simply expanding on the same underlying flawed concept namely : subsidizing private Uber rides. It’s not mass transit, it’s certainly not green and it’s not efficient.
With all the additional apartment complexes being added in town we need to be coming up with more / creative ways to use public transportation. Our roads are already jammed packed, when we add homes/apartments we need to automatically add more public transportation.