Recent Streetsblog MASS posts about Regional Transit Authorities

The Massachusetts State House in downtown Boston.

State House Update: Baker Vetoes RTA Budget Increase, Proposal Advances for New T Governing Board

By Christian MilNeil | Jul 19, 2021 | No Comments

Governor Baker used his line-item veto power to flat-fund state assistance for regional transit authorities at $90.5 million for the third year in a row.

Rider advocates rallied in downtown Worcester on May 17 to preserve the transit agency's fare-free policies. On May 20, the WRTA Advisory Board voted to extend fare-free buses until 2022. Courtesy of the Zero Fare WRTA Coalition.

WRTA Board Votes to Extend Worcester’s Zero-Fare Buses ‘Til 2022

By Christian MilNeil | May 20, 2021 | 1 Comment

“If we suspend fares, it’s just not true that we couldn’t expand service,” Etel Haxhiaj, Zero-Fare Coalition member and Worcester city council candidate, told StreetsblogMASS. “They don’t need to be mutually exclusive.”

The WRTA's downtown bus hub, next to Worcester's Union Station.

The WRTA’s Fare-Free Bus Experiment Was Popular, But Won’t Last Without Funding

By Christian MilNeil | May 7, 2021 | No Comments

The WRTA's higher levels of transit ridership, relative to other peer cities, suggest that its fare-free policies may be especially helpful to frontline workers whose travel decisions are more sensitive to fare costs.

A PVTA electric bus on the Holyoke-Springfield P21E route recharges at Springfield Union Station in this August 2018 photo. Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Pi.1415926535, licensed under the Creative Commons BY-SA 3.0 license.

PVTA to Debut Northampton-Springfield Express Route With Electric Buses

By Christian MilNeil | Mar 30, 2021 | No Comments

The new Northampton-Holyoke-Springfield Express is expected to start running this July.

Fare-Free Buses Gain Momentum on Beacon Hill

By Christian MilNeil | Mar 25, 2021 | No Comments

Two bills currently in the Massachusetts Senate would eliminate fare collection on some or all of the state's bus routes.

A double-parked Lyft driver waits outside of the South Station bus terminal on Thursday, August 8, 2019.

Higher Uber/Lyft Fees Could Boost Funding for Street Safety and Transit

By Christian MilNeil | Jan 14, 2021 | No Comments

Historically, municipalities have used their share of fees on Uber and Lyft to finance local transportation improvements, including quick-build safety projects and small transit services. Under new legislation awaiting Governor Baker's signature, that funding could increase significantly.

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