Developed as a component of Boston Mayor Thomas Menino’s initial Boston Crusade Against Cancer, the Cancer Ride Program helps reduce transportation barriers faced by cancer survivors. Funded by COBTH member hospitals and administered by the Boston Public Health Commission’s Office of Cancer Prevention and Control, the program has provided more than 38,000 free taxi coupons since 1999 for cancer patients at COBTH hospitals. Coupons are utilized for transportation to and from cancer treatments as an interim measure as more permanent transportation arrangements are being arranged or when all other transportation resources are exhausted. The program is managed by the Boston Public Health Commission’s Office of Cancer Prevention and Control. Participating hospitals oversee the program to ensure coordination and quality.
To be eligible for the program, a patient must be a Boston resident and must be traveling to or from a participating hospital for chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or cancer-related appointments, including attending support group meetings and for patients in need of diagnostic cancer testing.
