Healey announces government-funded free regional transit

Local news

Thirteen regional transit authorities will be able to continue to operate free of charge.

The $30 million grant will allow 13 regional transportation authorities across the state to continue providing free public transportation year-round.

The Healey-Driscoll administration announced Thursday that the funding will be included in the state’s fiscal year 2025 budget. The grant is based on two-year pilot programs throughout the state.

“Hundreds of thousands of Massachusetts residents rely on their regional transit authorities to get to and from work, the grocery store, doctor’s appointments and school,” Gov. Maura Healey said in a statement. “We are proud to provide this funding to help RTA keep its services free.”

Senate President Karen Spilka, who helped support the initiative, said, “Regional transit brings our state together.”

Spilka said the Senate pushed for funding to help improve access for residents who depend on services and make the state more resilient to the climate crisis.

“Merrimack Valley Transit has been free system-wide since March 2022, and the results have been compelling,” Noah Berger, administrator of the Merrimack Valley Regional Transit Authority, said in a statement.

Since the transition to free travel, he said, the number of trips on shuttle buses has quadrupled and is now more than 60% higher than pre-pandemic levels, while passenger complaints have dropped by about a third and subsidies per passenger have declined, he said.

In addition, many riders no longer have to ration travel to medical or educational events due to costs, and they keep more money in their pockets to spend at local businesses in Lawrence, Methuen and Haverhill, Berger said.

Brockton Area Transit Authority chief Michael Lambert said ridership levels are the highest in a quarter century.

In a statement, he said the high attendance “thereby furthers our goals of supporting the local economy, reducing congestion, improving air quality and enhancing the overall quality of life for our community.”

Working together, 13 RTAs submitted a joint bid for $30 million based on ridership within their service areas. In the past, RTAs used federal and state funds to provide free services. The service will now continue entirely with government funding.

13 RTS that submitted applications and will receive funds:

Worcester Regional Transit Authority: $5,517,286.

Brockton Area Transit Authority: $2,582,274.

Berkshire Regional Transit Authority: $699,733.

Cape Anne Transit Authority: $293,054.

Franklin Regional Transit Authority: $218,173.

Lowell Regional Transit Authority: $1,170,257.

Montachusett Area Regional Transit: $1,095,279.

Merrimack Valley Transit Authority: $2,575,810.

MetroWest Regional Transit Authority: $812,331.

Nantucket Regional Transit Authority: $484,507.

Pioneer Valley Transit Authority: $9,511,353.

Southeast Regional Transit Authority: $3,230,893.

Vineyard Transit Authority: $1,809,050.