Case Study: City of Newton achieves rapid, accessible senior mobility with Via's on-demand transit solution

City of Newton - Customer Case Study

The City of Newton engaged Via to solve a growing mobility challenge for its elderly residents: replace a legacy dial‑a‑ride service that required trips to be booked 72 hours in advance and suffered missed trips and driver supply issues. After a competitive procurement, Via was selected to design, launch and operate a dedicated on‑demand transit service for seniors, branded “Newton in Motion” (NewMo).

Via deployed its on‑demand platform in June 2019, operating a custom‑branded fleet with wheelchair‑accessible vehicles, stepping stools and extra handles, trained drivers, and both app and phone booking with senior sensitivity training. The results were immediate—over 700 seniors enrolled within two months and an average wait time of 11 minutes compared to three days under the prior system—demonstrating Via’s ability to restore independence and reliable mobility for Newton’s older residents.

City of Newton

Ruthanne Fuller

Mayor