Weekday Local Bus Service Coming to Westborough

The Worcester Regional Transit Authority will offer local bus service in Westborough on Monday through Friday starting Monday, Dec. 2, Central Massachusetts Regional Planning Commission Project Manager Jonathan Church told selectmen Tuesday night.

Service between the MBTA commuter rail station and the office parks on Computer Drive and Research Drive is one component, Church said.

Service between McDonald's on Route 30, and Westborough High School. is the other component. The Westborough Senior Center, Bay State Commons and Westborough High School are stops, according to the draft schedule Church presented to selectmen. The Westborough town offices, and the Westborough Public Library, would be served as well.

The WRTA fares are $1.50 for ages 14 and up; 75 cents for the elderly, the disabled, and children ages five to 13 accompanied by an adult; and free for children under age five, accompanied by an adult, according to the draft schedule.

Town Planner Jim Robbins called the service "a long time coming."

Selectmen Chairman Ian Johnson said the service to Bay State Commons "makes it more attractive to fill that up with tenants."

Vice Chairman George Barrette said that "this will be invaluable to a population that is under-served now."

"We have a population of people that don't drive, live in the downtown area or out at Park Village, with jobs at places like Roche Bros., Stop & Shop," Barrette said.

"Sometimes, they utilize the senior buses when they're available. Sometimes, they're walking." 

Church said Penta Communications in Westborough has been hired to promote the service.