Sheriff Joe McDonald joined town and state officials at the Plymouth Center for Active Living on Thursday to celebrate an expansion of free GATRA rides for residents 60 and older who belong to the center. Photos posted by the sheriff’s office show a ribbon cutting and a GATRA bus parked outside the building. Officials said the expansion is meant to help seniors get to medical appointments, the grocery store and programs at the senior center.
How the Program Will Work
The town’s “CAL Express” offers free rides to and from the Center for Active Living through a partnership with the Greater Attleboro Taunton Regional Transit Authority and the nonprofit Taking People Places, according to Town of Plymouth. GATRA also runs Dial‑A‑Ride, a curb‑to‑curb service for eligible riders, generally residents 60 and older and people with disabilities, and callers can schedule trips through the municipal transportation line. The Center for Active Living functions as a local hub where members can board scheduled or on‑demand vehicles to reach appointments and errands.
Funding and the Regional Picture
The Plymouth County Sheriff's Department credited state Sen. Dylan Fernandes and state Reps. Kathy LaNatra and Michelle Badger with helping secure the funding, according to the Plymouth County Sheriff's Department. Local officials’ efforts line up with a broader move from GATRA, which has announced that fixed‑route and ADA paratransit service will remain fare‑free through Sept. 30, 2026, a step the authority says preserves access across its service area, according to GATRA.
Officials, Signup and Rollout
The sheriff’s post says the investment “helps keep older adults independent, connected, and engaged in the community,” and photos show Center for Active Living Director Cheryl Jones with local and state leaders, according to the Plymouth County Sheriff's Department. Cheryl Jones is listed as the Center for Active Living director, and the CAL offers programs, volunteer medical rides and membership services for residents 60 and up, according to the Center for Active Living. Members who need a ride can contact the center at (508) 830-4230, and the town lists a transportation line at (978) 795-4404 for scheduling GATRA Dial‑A‑Ride service. Officials planned a ribbon cutting earlier in the week, and the sheriff's office posted photos of the ceremony to its Facebook page.
