The Link Free Shuttle in Burlington, MA: Where You Can Go

The last time Burlington ran a ride open to any resident, it was the B-Line, a public bus route that stopped in 2020. Since late August, every Burlington resident has had a free way to get around town, and it comes to the door. The Link is an all-electric, on-demand shuttle operated by Circuit. You book it through the Ride Circuit app or by calling 781-782-2521, and it costs nothing.

What matters day to day is where it goes. The Link doesn't run on Burlington's own borders. It runs on a Burlington–Woburn map with two hospitals added. That map makes it a good way to reach the train at Anderson, Lahey and the Mall, and a poor fit for Reading, Wakefield or anything on a Sunday.

Six Years Without a Ride for Everyone

The gap explains why The Link lands differently here than in its partner towns. According to Burlington Buzz's report on an April 27 Select Board meeting, Town Administrator John Danizio said the old B-Line connected Lahey Hospital, the senior center, the Mall and other shopping areas. By the end it cost about $250,000 a year, and ridership had dwindled.

The town replaced it in 2020 with a rideshare subsidy for seniors, residents with disabilities and income-eligible residents. The rider pays the first $1, the town covers up to $10, and the rider pays anything above that. The program turned out to be popular. Burlington Buzz reported that as of April 2026, about 200 riders were taking roughly 4,200 rides a month. In 2024 it was about 80 riders and 1,600 rides. At that pace the program's projected cost was $350,000, which is more than the B-Line cost at its end.

Town Meeting in May set the program's spending limit for the fiscal year that started July 1, 2026, at $250,000. The Select Board talked about adjusting ride caps, the subsidy amount or the eligibility age to stay within that figure. It also raised longer-term ideas, including a return to fixed-route service.

So Burlington's ride program had grown past its budget, and it was only ever open to certain residents. The Link comes from a different source and has a different rulebook. It is funded by the state, and anyone can use it.

Who Is Paying, and for How Long

The Link runs on a $1 million grant from MassDOT's Microtransit and Last-Mile Transit Grant Program. It was announced March 5, 2026, as part of $10 million awarded statewide. The City of Woburn holds the grant on behalf of the four-town partnership with Burlington, Reading and Wakefield. The money comes from the state's Fair Share surtax revenue.

The program is officially a one-year pilot. The Daily Times Chronicle reported that at the late-August ribbon cuttings, MassDOT officials confirmed money had been set aside for a second year. They credited the four towns for pitching one regional service together.

The regional pitch also explains the map. Burlington Planning Director Liz Bonventre told Burlington Buzz that the towns had been working with the Metropolitan Area Planning Council for at least five years on first- and last-mile transit. "Transportation doesn't just stop at the town or city borders," she said, "it's a regional problem."

The Map, Trip by Trip

The Link has two separate service zones. One covers Woburn and Burlington, and the other covers Reading and Wakefield. You can ride anywhere within your own zone. The only cross-zone trips allowed are to Lahey Clinic in Burlington and Winchester Hospital, which riders from either zone can reach.

For a Burlington resident, that works out like this:

The Anderson row matters most. The four towns held the official ribbon cutting at the Anderson Regional Transportation Center in Woburn. Since Woburn is part of Burlington's zone, a free door-to-door ride to that station is now on the map. Woburn Mayor Mike Concannon described the gap the service is meant to fill. "We have a pretty good network in terms of our highway system and our train system, but it's that last piece," he told Burlington Buzz. "We expect this to be that final piece of the puzzle."

The Mall row has changed this year too. Patch reported several new tenants that opened over the summer. Rocco's Tacos & Tequila Bar opened August 1 on the lower level, in the former Rosa Mexicano space. Bissinger's Handcrafted Chocolatier opened the same day. Game Show Battle Rooms, its first Massachusetts location, opened August 21, and Vuori opened September 4. Levi's is expected in December. Those openings fall well within the zone. Ride timing does not always line up with them, though, which is covered below.

The Hours Shape the Trips

The Link runs Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. It is closed Sundays, Thanksgiving, Christmas Day and New Year's Day.

Those hours fit a weekday train commute, a medical appointment at Lahey or a Saturday errand. They fit dinner less well. A 6 p.m. weekday reservation at Rocco's gets you there, but the shuttle stops running before most meals end, so you'll need another way home. The next Link-friendly window for Thanksgiving week is Friday the 27th.

It's also a shared ride, not a private one. The van may already have passengers when it picks you up, and the driver may make other pickups or drop-offs before yours. Pickup times depend on demand, traffic and how many vans are free, and the FAQ doesn't give a target wait. Launch was gradual. The towns tested the service starting August 24 and held the official launch on August 31. The Daily Times Chronicle reported that waits could run longer while some vehicles were still coming online, and suggested trying again in 10 to 15 minutes if no driver was available. Full operation was expected September 15. For anything tied to a fixed time, like a train departure or an appointment, book with a cushion.

Booking a First Ride

1. Download Ride Circuit from the App Store or Google Play, then create an account with your name, email, mobile number and a password.
2. Allow location access, or type in a pickup address yourself.
3. Enter a destination by address or business name. The app checks that both ends of the trip are inside the service area before it lets you request.
4. Add companions if needed. One booking can include up to four more passengers.
5. If you'd rather not use the app, call 781-782-2521 during service hours.

A few rules worth knowing before you go:

• Riders must be 16 or older to have an account or ride alone. Younger riders need an adult with them, and a parent or guardian supplies and installs any car seat.
• You can request an ADA-accessible vehicle by app or phone. Service animals are welcome, and a personal care attendant can ride if counted in the passenger total.
• Drivers don't escort riders to or from the door or handle mobility equipment. Walkers and folding mobility aids can come aboard if they fit safely.

Where This Leaves Burlington's Own Program

The Link doesn't replace the town's rideshare subsidy, and the town hasn't said it will. Burlington's launch notice calls The Link "another option" for getting to work, appointments, shopping, dining and transit connections. Eligible riders now have two programs to choose from. For everyone else in town, The Link is the first ride service open to them since the B-Line stopped in 2020. Thomas Sullivan, a former Burlington resident who drives part-time for the service, told Burlington Buzz he expects the service to be essential for seniors and others who need on-demand rides. "I love driving, I love people," he said.

Questions about the service go to the town at [email protected].

At Karshis & Co., we follow how Burlington is connected to the train, the hospitals and the towns next door, because those connections shape everyday life here. If you're curious how a change like The Link fits into the bigger picture for your street, we're always glad to talk it through. Let's Connect.