Call & Commute Shuttle

Call & Commute is a first-come, first-served, door-to-door subscription shuttle service designed exclusively for employees of the member companies of The Junction Transportation Management Organization (TMO). The service is funded by the Merrimack Valley Regional Transit Authority, The Town of Andover and the Junction TMO.

What services does Call & Commute provide?

Call & Commute offers two types of service:

1. Door-to-door service is available Monday through Friday for residents of Andover, Lawrence, Methuen and North Andover on a call-ahead, first-come, first-served basis.
   

2. Daily shuttle service to and from the Ballardvale Commuter Rail Stop is also provided for employees riding trains that depart from the station at the following times:

How does Call & Commute work?

1. Can any employee in the area use Call & Commute, and when does it operate?
   
   Currently, Call & Commute is available only to TMO member employees who live in Andover, North Andover, Lawrence, or Methuen. The service is also available at selected times for member employees who use the Ballardville commuter rail station. Call & Commute typically operates from 6AM to 9AM and from 3PM – 6PM, Monday through Friday, except holidays.
   
   

2. When and how do I reserve a seat?
   
   For single ride reservations please call 978-469-6878 (select option 3) at least one day prior to service between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. When you call, be prepared to provide the following information:
   
   A. Your name
   B. The name of your employer
   C. Your E-mail address
   D. Your work phone number (and cell phone number if you use one)
   E. Your exact street address and requested times for pickup and drop-off locations for both your morning and evening commutes
   
   Ballardvale T stop passengers only. The Call & Commute shuttle stops to pickup or discharge passengers at the station as follows::
   
   1. Morning shuttle service from Ballardvale to Wyeth BioPharma/Gillette will pickup at the 6:50AM train from Haverhill and the 8:17AM train from Boston.
   
   2. Afternoon shuttle service from Wyeth/Gillette to Ballardvale will drop off for the 4:50PM train to Boston and the 5:08 PM train to Haverhill.
   
   As TMO membership climbs, the shuttle service will expand to meet demand by employees of new TMO member companies.
   

3. How do I cancel my ride?
   
   If you need to cancel a previously scheduled ride, call 978-469-6878 (select option 3) at least 24 hours in advance. In an emergency, you may need to speak directly with the dispatcher to make sure your message is quickly relayed to the driver. In this case only, call 978-469-6878, ext 142. Dispatchers are available Mon-Fri between 4:30 am – 8:15 pm. NOTE: Reservations and changes cannot be made through the dispatch office.
    
    

4. May I change my schedule?
   
   Please don’t ask for last minute changes to fit your schedule. For the benefit of all riders, once the schedule for a day has been established, it is not possible to make adjustments any later than 4:00 PM on the day prior to service. Also, please note that schedule changes, even if requested prior to 4:00 PM on the day before the scheduled service, may not be accommodated.
   Emergencies. If you have a family emergency, please call at least one hour before your scheduled pickup time. The after-hours emergency number for Call & Commute is 978-469-6878.
   
   

5. What does Call & Commute cost?
   
   The Call & Commute service is FREE, on a first-come, first-served basis, to all employees of TMO member companies. However, all eligible employees must call and reserve their seats in advance (as described above). Then, in order to use the shuttle, they must show their company I.D. and sign the passenger log when they board.
   
   Subscriber priority. Although Call & Commute generally operates on a “first-come, first-served” basis, priority will be given to you if you are a subscriber, that is, if you plan to use the service on a regular basis for a period of at least two consecutive months. As a subscriber, you must reserve your rides during the month prior to your use of the service.
   
   

6. What if I have a family emergency or have to work late unexpectedly and can’t take the shuttle?
   
   Any employee of a TMO member company who commutes to work using Call & Commute at least two days a week is eligible for the TMO’s Emergency Ride Home (ERH) service. This service is the equivalent of a “commuter insurance” policy which guarantees an eligible employee a free taxi ride home in case of family emergency or unexpected overtime required by a supervisor. 
   
   The ERH service requires pre-registration. Call & Commute users should contact their employer’s Employee Transportation Advisor in order to have a free ERH voucher available in advance.
   
   

7. What else do I need to know about Call & Commute?
   
   Call & Commute is a ‘shared ride’ service intended to accommodate as many customers per trip, as safely and effectively as possible. When you reserve a seat, you must be ready to board when the Call & Commute vehicle arrives. Please allow for a 15-minute “window” on either side of your requested pickup time in order for the schedule to be confirmed. Severe weather or traffic conditions and changing schedules may result in the driver arriving 15 minutes earlier or later than expected. Upon arriving at your stop, the driver is permitted to wait no longer than five (5) minutes for you to board the vehicle.
   
   Although rules may seem unnecessary for responsible adults, it is possible that a Call & Commute passenger may occasionally fail to observe several rules of etiquette. Therefore, in order to make this shared ride service convenient for all subscribers, the policy for “No Shows,” “Late or Excessive Cancellations” and “Incorrect Addresses or Pickup Times” is as follows:
   
   

   • No Shows: A No Show occurs when a client fails to be at the scheduled pick-up point fifteen (15) minutes prior to, or five (5) minutes after the scheduled pick-up time.
     

   • Incorrect Address or Pickup Time: This occurs when a client gives us the wrong pick-up address or time, or if no notice is given of such a change.
     

   • Late Cancellation: When a client cancels a reservation and fails to notify Call & Commute within the guidelines outlined in provision “3” above.
     

   • Excessive Cancellations: It is considered “excessive” when a client cancels five (5) previously scheduled rides during a one-month period, or when a subscriber client cancels three (3) rides during a one-month period.
     
     

   Failing to adhere to these guidelines could result in loss of riding privileges. In addition, several common courtesies must be observed:
   
   

   • Eating, drinking, smoking, or playing of loud music is not allowed.
     

   • Seatbelts are required to be worn by all passengers.
     

   • Tipping of drivers is not permitted.
     

   • Unsafe behavior or destruction of service property will be cause for immediate expulsion from the vehicle.

   Thank you for your cooperation.

   We hope you will enjoy this service and let us know if you have any questions, suggestions or concerns.