<html class="apple-mail-supports-explicit-dark-mode"><head><meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"></head><body dir="auto"><p style="margin: 0px 0px 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-width: normal; font-size: 19px; line-height: normal; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Hello everyone,</p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-width: normal; font-size: 19px; line-height: normal; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Apologies for the lateness in sharing this update, but I wanted to make sure people were aware of a positive and meaningful change to MBTA The RIDE\u2019s Driver Assistance Policy that took effect on December 1, 2025.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-width: normal; font-size: 19px; line-height: normal; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-kerning: none;">After customer feedback, The RIDE updated its baggage and driver assistance rules to better balance safety with practical assistance.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-width: normal; font-size: 19px; line-height: normal; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Drivers may now assist with personal items that can be carried in one arm and in one trip while safely assisting the rider, with a total weight limit of fifteen pounds.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-width: normal; font-size: 19px; line-height: normal; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Examples include one or two small shopping bags, a paper grocery bag, a light backpack, a purse, or a car seat that meets these same limits.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-width: normal; font-size: 19px; line-height: normal; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Drivers will determine what they can safely carry while assisting a customer.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-width: normal; font-size: 19px; line-height: normal; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Any items that exceed these limits must be carried by the customer or by a PCA.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-width: normal; font-size: 19px; line-height: normal; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Other parts of the policy remain unchanged.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-width: normal; font-size: 19px; line-height: normal; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Personal items must fit within a rider\u2019s personal space, and no additional seats or space are reserved for bags or packages.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-width: normal; font-size: 19px; line-height: normal; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Buggies and carts are allowed if they fit within the rider\u2019s personal space, or if larger, are emptied, collapsed, and secured in a van or placed in the trunk of a sedan.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-width: normal; font-size: 19px; line-height: normal; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Violations of the policy may result in a no show and no replacement vehicle being sent.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-width: normal; font-size: 19px; line-height: normal; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Drivers provide door to door service, including offering an arm or assistance over a single step or curb.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-width: normal; font-size: 19px; line-height: normal; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Drivers do not carry people or mobility devices, but will load devices such as walkers into the trunk when needed.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-width: normal; font-size: 19px; line-height: normal; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Although this change has already taken effect, I wanted to be sure our community was informed, as it represents a practical improvement for many riders.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-width: normal; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); min-height: 13.8px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br></p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-width: normal; font-size: 19px; line-height: normal; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Sent from my iPhone</p></body></html>