Souhegan Valley Rides
Souhegan Valley Rides (SVR)
Souhegan Valley Rides is a curb-to-curb, “dial-a-ride” type bus service. The focus for this service is on providing transportation for non-emergency purposes and assisting those in greatest need – elderly residents, those living with a disability, and residents who are unable to drive. Other residents may use the service as space is available in the schedule. Rides are available to most destinations within the six communities and to/from Nashua depending on each day’s schedule. When scheduling conflicts arise, priority is given to rides needed by senior citizens and persons living with a disability and for non-emergency healthcare related appointments. Pre-registration is required to schedule a ride, fare is $2 each way, rides must be scheduled at least 2 business days in advance by calling the NTS dispatch center.
The Details
- Service Area: Rides are available for destinations within Amherst, Brookline, Hollis, Milford, Mont Vernon, Wilton and Nashua.
- Eligibility: Must be a resident of one of the six participating communities: Amherst, Brookline, Hollis, Milford, Mont Vernon or Wilton.
- Operating Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM including travel time to and from the Nashua Transit System (NTS) garage in Nashua. Rides to/from Nashua – Arrive in Nashua no earlier than 10 AM and last pick-ups to return home will depart Nashua by 4 PM. Please schedule your appointments around these times.
- Cost: Fares are $2 for each one-way trip per passenger. Exact fare only as the bus drivers cannot make change. Medically necessary Personal Care Attendants (PCA) and children under age 5 years ride free. When scheduling your ride, please let the dispatcher know if a PCA or child will be traveling with you. Free bus fare passes are available for those in greatest need.
- Guests: A passenger may bring one guest if the guest pays their own fare. NTS must be notified about the guest when the ride is scheduled.
- Service animals: We welcome service animals. When scheduling your ride, please notify us if the service animal will be riding with you.
How it Works
- 30-minute Pick-up Window: The vehicle may arrive anytime within a thirty (30) minute “window”, up to fifteen (15) minutes before and fifteen (15) minutes after your scheduled pick-up time For example, if your pick-up time is scheduled for 9:00am, the vehicle will arrive between 8:45am and 9:15am.
- 5 Minute Stops: When the bus arrives at the location you have designated for pick-up, the driver can only wait 5 minutes. Please be on time and at the designated pick-up site during the “30 Minute Pick-up Window”.
- Shopping Rules: Each passenger may have only 2 shopping bags. For safety and space reasons, no wheeled shopping carts are allowed on the bus. The bus driver cannot assist with your shopping bags. A minimum of 1 hour is scheduled to complete shopping tasks.
- Folding Shopping Carts: Folding shopping carts are now allowed on the Nashua Transit paratransit vans on a space available basis. The shopping cart baskets cannot exceed 18” in width; 14” in depth; and 20” in height. These size limitations do not include the handle. Passengers must inform dispatch of their intent to bring a cart when scheduling a ride. If your cart cannot be accommodated you will be notified in advance. All items must be contained within the cart, properly controlled by the passenger, and safely secured in the designated storage area.
