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--></style></head><body lang=EN-US link="#467886" vlink="#96607D" style='word-wrap:break-word'><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Hi Stephen,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>I already was aware of those changes, but I appreciate your work.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>This seams more promising from what they were saying before.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Adam<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div><div style='border:none;border-top:solid #E1E1E1 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'>From:</span></b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'> Massachusetts-NFB <massachusetts-nfb-bounces@nfbnet.org> <b>On Behalf Of </b>stephen yerardi via Massachusetts-NFB<br><b>Sent:</b> Tuesday, December 16, 2025 9:24 PM<br><b>To:</b> of Massachusetts NFB <massachusetts-nfb@nfbnet.org><br><b>Cc:</b> stephen yerardi <spyerardi@gmail.com><br><b>Subject:</b> [Massachusetts-NFB] Updates to The RIDE\u2019s Driver Assistance Policy<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:9.0pt;margin-left:0in'><span style='font-size:14.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>Hello everyone,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:9.0pt;margin-left:0in;font-variant-caps: normal;font-width: normal;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-size:14.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>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.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:9.0pt;margin-left:0in;font-variant-caps: normal;font-width: normal;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-size:14.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>After customer feedback, The RIDE updated its baggage and driver assistance rules to better balance safety with practical assistance.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:9.0pt;margin-left:0in;font-variant-caps: normal;font-width: normal;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-size:14.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>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.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:9.0pt;margin-left:0in;font-variant-caps: normal;font-width: normal;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-size:14.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>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.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:9.0pt;margin-left:0in;font-variant-caps: normal;font-width: normal;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-size:14.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>Drivers will determine what they can safely carry while assisting a customer.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:9.0pt;margin-left:0in;font-variant-caps: normal;font-width: normal;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-size:14.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>Any items that exceed these limits must be carried by the customer or by a PCA.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:9.0pt;margin-left:0in;font-variant-caps: normal;font-width: normal;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-size:14.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>Other parts of the policy remain unchanged.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:9.0pt;margin-left:0in;font-variant-caps: normal;font-width: normal;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-size:14.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>Personal items must fit within a rider\u2019s personal space, and no additional seats or space are reserved for bags or packages.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:9.0pt;margin-left:0in;font-variant-caps: normal;font-width: normal;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-size:14.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>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.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:9.0pt;margin-left:0in;font-variant-caps: normal;font-width: normal;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-size:14.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>Violations of the policy may result in a no show and no replacement vehicle being sent.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:9.0pt;margin-left:0in;font-variant-caps: normal;font-width: normal;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-size:14.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>Drivers provide door to door service, including offering an arm or assistance over a single step or curb.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:9.0pt;margin-left:0in;font-variant-caps: normal;font-width: normal;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-size:14.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>Drivers do not carry people or mobility devices, but will load devices such as walkers into the trunk when needed.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:9.0pt;margin-left:0in;font-variant-caps: normal;font-width: normal;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-size:14.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>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.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:9.0pt;margin-left:0in;font-variant-caps: normal;font-width: normal;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-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:9.0pt;margin-left:0in;font-variant-caps: normal;font-width: normal;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-size:14.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>Sent from my iPhone<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></body></html>