Shrewsbury Getting New Transit Service To Aid Migrant Population

SHREWSBURY, MA — Migrants sheltering in Shrewsbury will soon have more mobility options following a new grant from MassDOT.

The state last week awarded the Worcester Regional Transit Authority a $267,000 grant to provide taxi rides for migrants to access job opportunities, healthcare and run errands. The grant comes from MassDOT's annual Community Transit Grant Program.

The Lakeway Express service will be operated as a partnership between WRTA and a local cab company, according to MassDOT. WRTA buses do run through Shrewsbury, but only to the downtown area and Market Basket, leaving all of Route 9 between Maple Avenue and the Westborough line without transit service.

Shrewsbury began welcoming migrant and homeless families staying at local hotels about a year ago. Many are arriving in the U.S. without paperwork that would allow them to get licenses, one of several barriers keeping the state's family shelter system at or above capacity.

Shrewsbury's Council On Aging also received a MassDOT transit grant last week for $25,000 to support the COA's transportation options.