Westwood Council on Aging/Senior Center

Transportation Policies and Programs

The Westwood Council on Aging seeks to provide safe, efficient and reliable transportation to eligible Westwood senior residents.  The COA has three eight-passenger vans that are equipped with wheelchair lifts and a smaller van. 

The following policies have been developed to insure the most equitable and efficient use of this service.

Eligibility: Transportation is available for Westwood adult residents, 60 years of age and over.  A companion or aide may accompany a senior to a medical appointment.  Service is curb to curb; all riders must be able to get in and out of the van without COA staff assistance. Those riding in a wheelchair must be able to independently get to the van (with the help of an aide if necessary).  Please remember that the driver is unable to secure riders in their seatbelts.  All riders must be able to transfer to a seat independently or be accompanied by an aide who can assist.

Hours and Area of Operation: Transportation service is in operation Monday through Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. A limit of six roundtrip medical rides per senior will be available per month; this does not include rides to the COA for programs, grocery shopping or errands.

Scheduling: Medical appointments are given priority scheduling over non-medical appointments.  Reservations are made on a first-come, first-served basis.  Transportation can be scheduled up to one month in advance and clients are encouraged to reserve the van as soon as they schedule their appointments. 

Reservations must be made a minimum of two business days in advance. We are unable to accommodate same-day requests.

Service Animals: Certified Service Animals are welcome. Please make sure you let us know in advance if you are bringing a Service Animal with you. They must be on a leash or in a carrier, under control at all times and not blocking aisles.

Trips to Veterinarians: The van is available to take seniors’ pets to local veterinarians so long as they are under 12 lbs., in a carrier, the senior must easily handle their pet and be in control.  These trips are only allowed on errand days and if space allows. There is a 5-mile radius as with any other errand. At no other times are pets allowed on the van, unless they are a Certified Service Animal.

 Call the COA/Senior Center at 781-329-8799 to schedule a reservation.

The following information is required to schedule transportation:

• Name, address and phone numbers (home and cell) of passenger;
• Every passenger must have COA swipe tag. And a consent and release form must be filled out before riding the van;
• Date and time of medical appointment or other destination and approximate return time;
• Address and phone number of medical provider or other destination;
• Whether or not a wheelchair or other assistance (including oxygen tank securement)  will be required;
• An emergency contact, if we do not already have one on file. 

Please note that there is a 15 minute window for pick up times, so schedule accordingly.  We do our best to accommodate everyone in a timely manner, however sometimes things happen which are beyond our control.

Suggested Donations: 

$2.00    To/From COA   

$4.00    Local medical appointments                                              

$4.00    Errands and Grocery Shopping

$6.00    Medical to Medfield

$10.00  Medical to Newton Wellesley Hospital, VA Hospital, West Roxbury, and Faulkner Hospital

MEDICAL TRANSPORTATION

Medical transportation takes priority and is available Monday, Tuesday and Thursday.

All doctor’s appointments must be made between 8:30 am and 1 pm. Appointments must be completed by 2 p.m. at the very latest. Medical appointments must be within a ten-mile radius from the Center.

1.Every attempt to accommodate transportation requests will be made; however, rides can NOT be guaranteed. 

2. We reserve the right to cancel any individual who we feel cannot ride safely in the van. In case of pandemic, inclement weather or other town-wide emergency, we reserve the right to cancel all rides.

3. We cannot accommodate rides to and from local assisted living establishments.

The transportation program is not to be used for medical emergencies.  In these situations, contact Emergency Medical personnel by dialing 9-1-1.  We also cannot transport individuals to and from medical procedures or dialysis. We do not transport to and from assisted living, memory care or nursing homes. 

NON-MEDICAL TRANSPORTATION

Errands:  Errands within a five-mile radius of the Center are scheduled on Mondays and Fridays.  This includes errands to local grocery stores, pharmacies, banks, gyms, as well as rides to veterinarians and any other local needs that we are able to accommodate.

Food Shopping:  Food shopping is scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday mornings to Roche Bros. in Westwood and Shaw’s in Norwood.  Participants are restricted to three shopping bags per person and must be able to carry their own bags without assistance from the driver.

Programs at the Center: When possible, the van will be available for transportation to COA/Senior             Center programs. However, medical appointments take priority.

Cancellations: Please call the COA/Senior Center as soon as possible if you must cancel and/or reschedule your reservation for the van.

Safety: The use of seat belts will be strictly enforced.  Drivers are not allowed to transport individuals who are not belted into the vehicle’s seat.  Individuals with medical reasons for not wearing seat belts will be exempt from this rule, if they provide a signed letter from their physician addressed to the COA office. 

 Individuals with portable oxygen tanks and wheelchairs are welcome. Please alert the office when making the reservation so time will be allowed to secure the tank or use the lift. The driver must secure the tank and/or wheelchair.

Individuals with significant cognitive impairment must have a caregiver accompanying them.  Anyone traveling with a caregiver should alert the Center that there will be two individuals taking the van.   

Van safety for all passengers and drivers is our number one priority.  If the driver or Center staff deems any individual at high risk of falling or injury, the individual will be asked to use other forms of transportation.  Those using a wheelchair must be able to transfer to a seat independently without assistance.  Those who are unable to take the van, for the above reasons, have the option of getting transportation from THE RIDE. 

The Center’s Director reserves the right to cancel, deny or restrict any ride or any passenger if there is a safety concern.  This may include but is not limited to concern that the passenger may be disorientated or injured, and/or lacking in personal hygiene. If the rider uses profanity, is disrespectful or is aggressive to other seniors, Center staff, volunteers, or the drivers.  Cancellations and restrictions will be given to the rider in writing and will be re-evaluated every 3 months. All concerns and questions should be directed to the Center’s Director.  Reinstatement can occur after a three-month waiting period. Reinstatement may only occur after discussion and with the approval of the Senior Center Director.

Canes, walkers and other such devices must be secured. 

Smoking, eating and/or drinking in the van is not permitted.  We request all passengers carry a “File of Life” form which contains their medical information.  Blank forms are available at no charge from the COA.

All passengers must follow the drivers’ instructions.  Violation of these instructions may result in temporary or total loss of privileges.

Inclement Weather: Van appointments will be cancelled whenever unsafe road conditions exist.  When school is cancelled, the COA/Senior Center will be closed and transportation service will be cancelled.  Please listen to local radio/TV stations or check the Westwood Public Schools Website for information as to whether the van will be in operation.

OTHER Transportation Opportunities

The MBTA RIDE (and other commercially available services) is available for mobility impaired Westwood residents.  Residents must have an eligibility interview with the MBTA and may contact THE RIDE at 617-337-2727 for further information.

HESSCO Out-of-Town Rides:  On a very limited basis, HESSCO Elder Services offers rides outside of the Center’s 10-mile radius van initiative.  Rides must be scheduled one week in advance and a $25 round trip donation is requested. To arrange a ride, please call the Social Worker of the Senior Center.

There are private pay transportation opportunities, please see the Senior Center’s Social Worker for more information.

 Updated 12/2025 LAD

COA Board Approved 12/25

Updated 2/2026