All Aboard: Local Seniors Sound Off on What Lexpress Means to Them

And, how riding the bus can be good for your health.

  The following was written by Paulette Slattery, an intern with Lexington's Human Services Department and student at Lesley University in Cambridge. Did you know that, according to recent scientific research, social isolation is linked to decreased mental and physical health? Research also indicates that people with accessible and spontaneous transportation are more likely to participate in social and leisure activities. By offering a reliable and accessible transportation system -- Lexpress -- Lexington is providing an invaluable health service as well as a practical necessity to its residents who do not drive. On a recent Friday morning in March, several senior citizens riding Lexpress voiced confirmation of how valuable this service is…

• Photos (2)

Lexpress to Offer Free Rides for Seniors and Disabled Riders

Free rides for seniors and disabled riders during off-peak hours is part of Lexpress' latest initiative to assist Lexington residents.

The following information was provided by the town of Lexington's Transportation Services Department. With the goal of attracting more riders during off-peak hours, Lexpress is offering free rides to seniors (age 65+), riders with special needs, and Medicare cardholders between the hours of 9 a.m. and 1:59 p.m. This includes all routes scheduled to leave Depot Square between 9 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. The pilot program will run from Jan. 1 through June 30 of next year, 2013. Lexpress constantly strives to make changes that meet the needs of the community. Benefits anticipated from this program include: For a minimal cost, this promotion is expected to generate approximately 1,500 additional rides during the six-month pilot period. At this time, …

• Photos (1)

11th Annual Cary Library Truck Day in Lexington

Kids, young and old, inspected the town's transportation and official equipment.

Some youngsters are fascinated with police cars, fire trucks, Department of Public Works machinery and buses. Cary Memorial Library satiated that fascination with its 11th annual Library Truck Day, held within its parking lot on Friday, July 13. “All the officials are enthusiastic about it.” Children’s Department Head Ruth Lynn said of the police officers, firefighters, DPW workers and LexPress drivers who attended – and brought cruisers, fire trucks, DPW machinery and a LexPress bus.  Police Officer Chris Collins opened all the doors to a cruiser and let children climb in and out. Better still, he showed them how the lights and siren worked. Police Officer Aidan Evelyn, dressed in his motorcycle gear, let children sit on his motorbike and…

• Photos (7)
• Videos (1)

Patch Facts

Five Things You Need to Know Today: July 2

Free rides on Lexpress, Where's Waldo, summer workshops and more today in Lexington.

1. All Aboard New Lexpress Buses: The new Lexpress fleet comes into service today, and folks can ride for free all day in celebration of the new buses. Lexpress service runs from 7 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., and you can find more information here. 2. Looking for Waldo in Lexington: Throughout the month of July, the Elephant's Trunk Bookshop is hosting a month-long scavanger hunt for the red-striped Waldo hidding in 20 local businesses. Waldo spotters will be eligible for prizes, and the event will culuminate on July 31 with a grand ceremony held at the Elephant's Trunk Bookshop. The hunt kicks off today, July 2, and folks can pick up Waldo search lists at the Lexington Center bookshop. 3. Check Out New Selections of Summer Classes and Workshops: …

•  4 Comments
• Photos (2)

Patrick Ball

11:20 am on Monday, July 2, 2012

No need to apologize! We're happy to save you a trip.   more ›

VIDEO: New Lexpress Bus Rolls into Town

The slightly larger, significantly brighter fleet comes equipped with bike racks and will start service next Monday, July 2.

A new Lexpress fleet officially comes online next Monday, July 2, but one of the big blue buses made a stop at Cary Hall Wednesday to give locals a sneak preview.  Slightly larger, painted a brighter blue and emblazoned with a yellow image of Paul Revere racing on horseback, the new fleet is equipped to carry three additional passengers and two more bicycles than the outgoing vehicles. In addition to seating for 23 and a bike rack built for two, other new features of the fleet include a gasoline engine as opposed to diesel and the wheelchair lift mounted closer to the front than the rear, which could make for a smoother ride. According to Jeanette Rebecchi, the town's transportation services coordinator, the contract for the current …

• Photos (4)
• Videos (2)

Patch Facts

Five Things You Need to Know Today: June 27

Fundraiser for Jeff Semon, new Lexpress fleet arrives, meetings and more today in Lexington.

1. Lexpress New Rides Arrive: The new Lexpress bus fleet will be revealed at 12 p.m. this afternoon at Cary Hall. The new fleet officially begins service on Monday, July 2. Riders are invited to check out the new buses and enjoy free rides that day. 2. Jeff in 2012 Fundraiser: Republican congressional candidate Jeff Semon, a Lexington resident, is hosting a "Fire Ed Markey and We'll be 'Doing Just Fine'" fundraiser at 6:30 p.m. this evening at Yangtze River restaurant in Lexington Center. There's a suggested contribution of $200 and suggested minimum contribution of $50, with a "free" buffet dinner and cash bar. 3. Today in Public Meetings: According to the town website, public meetings posted for today include LexHab at 7 a.m. at its …

• Photos (1)

Patch Facts

Five Things You Need to Know Today: June 25

Busses arriving soon, surveys, meetings and more today in Lexington.

1. New Busses Coming: The debut of the new Lexpress bus fleet is this Wednesday, June 27, at noon in front of Cary Hall. The new buses will feature bike racks for the first time. 2. A Few Days Left: To take the Community Center Task Force's survey. 3. Today in Public Meetings: According to the town website, public meetings posted for today include: the Ad Hoc Transportation and Safety Study Committee at 2 p.m. at the School Administration Building and the Greenway Corridor Committee at 4:30 p.m. at Cary Hall. 4. This Day in History: In 1672, the first recorded monthly Quaker meeting in U.S. was held in Sandwich; in 1788 Virginia became the 10th state to ratify the U.S. constitution; in 1938, Federal minimum wage law guaranteed workers 40 …

•  2 Comments
• Photos (1)

Patrick Ball

2:32 pm on Monday, June 25, 2012

Thanks, Isabella. Here's a link to the Weston Patch story with the basic details about the fundraiser: http://patch.com/A-v4y9   more ›

League Forum: Getting Around Town: Do You Really Need to Drive?

The League of Women Voters First Friday Forum, scheduled for the second Friday in April due to a religious holiday, takes on transportation.

The following press release was provided by the League of Women Voters of Lexington. A variety of perspectives about transportation issues and opportunities in and around Lexington will be presented at the League of Women Voters' monthly forum which has been moved to the second Friday, April 13. What can be done about increasing traffic congestion on our streets?  What are the differing transportation needs of students, their parents, seniors, commuters, and businesses? How will the proposed MBTA cuts affect bus service in Lexington and LexPress?  How will the increasing price of gas affect transportation choices in the future?  Panelists will include Rick Abrams of the Greenways Corridor Committee; Michelle Ciccolo of the Lexington …

• Photos (1)

Expecting MBTA Service Cuts, Fare Hikes, Lexington Hopes for the Best

Earlier this week, MBTA officials acknowledged fare hikes and service cuts are going to happen, and the MAPC warned about the health risks associated with such plans.

As the MBTA’s public comment period and 30-plus public meetings came to a close earlier this week, the agency opted to eschew its two previously released scenarios and move forward with a final, as yet unknown, proposal that will include cuts and fare increases.  In an open letter to MBTA customers released Tuesday, March 13, Richard Davey, secretary and CEO of MassDOT and Jonathan Davis, the MBTA’s acting general manager, said a final recommendation for closing an almost $160 million budget gap will be laid out before the April 4 MBTA Board meeting. Though officials will work on identifying one-time revenues in an effort to “stave off some of the proposed service cuts,” both cuts and fare increases will be included in the plan, the letter…

• Photos (2)
• Documents (3)

Lexington Officials Speak Against MBTA Proposals

Like many other municipalities around the region, Lexington officials and residents are concerned about the MBTA's plans to solve its budget deficit by cutting bus service and increasing fares.

Add Lexington to the list of communities speaking out against MBTA proposals to solve a $161 deficit that could cut suburban bus service and eliminate an $80,000 subsidy for Lexpress. Earlier this month, town officials sent a letter to the MBTA opposing the proposed elimination of MBTA Routes 62 and 76, the elimination of the Suburban Transit Program and an increase in paratransit fares. The letter, signed by the chairs of the Board of Selectmen, Planning Board and Transportation Advisory Committee, expresses regional concern about fare hikes and some more specific to Lexington, such as the loss of the Lexpress subsidy and what kind of message shuttering bus service to Hanscom Air Foce Base would send in light of the impending Base …

•  1 Comment
• Photos (2)
• Documents (2)