Westborough Residents Get Free Via Rides For The Rest Of The Year

WESTBOROUGH, MA — Via, the newest ride-sharing service to come to Westborough, is offering free rides throughout December.

Via is a service that allows users to hail a shuttle directly from their mobile devices using the Via app and get a shared ride. Via is a transportation-tech company with 150 global partners on six continents. The company partnered with the Worcester Regional Transit Authority in September to launch the pilot program in town.

The on-demand transit network spans approximately 12-square-miles through the heart of the city, servicing important destinations like Westborough High School, the Senior Center, and two MBTA commuter rail stations.

The December free-ride promotion is meant as a way to encourage residents to try the service.

"There are no restrictions on the rides-- riders can go anywhere within the zone, and take as many rides as they'd like," said Caroline Hawkins, spokesperson for Via.

WRTA is funding the on-demand commuter service using a $460,000 award from MassDOT. The award was part of $3.5 million in grant funding for RTAs across the Commonwealth.

“Our partnership with Via showcases what the next generation of public transit can and should be, allowing us to increase access to local MBTA stations, enhance access and connectivity to jobs, and reduce the reliance on owning a private vehicle,” Dennis J Lipka, WRTA Administrator said in a statement. “Most importantly, we’re creating a transit option that’s safer than ever before.”

In a statement, Via said rides will also place an emphasis on safety in response to COVID-19. Masks will be required to ride, capacity is capped at just three passengers per vehicle, and riders are prompted to use hand sanitizer before touching door handles — or to stay home if they’re not feeling well.

When the December promotion is over, Via will operate at $2 per ride, and all rides either to or from the MBTA station will cost just $1. Rides are free for the first 30 days of service. Service operates Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.